The province of Ontario moves into Step Three of the provinces Roadmap to Reopen Plan on Friday as of 12:01 a.m.
Step Three focuses on the resumption of additional indoor services with larger numbers of people and restrictions in place. This includes indoor recreational facilities like the Kenora Recreation Centre will open their doors to the public.
“We as staff are very excited to have people come back in the building and using the facility and we have already been getting phone calls, the excitement of the community is out there as well,” said Casey Pyykka Community Program Supervisor for the Kenora Recreation Centre
“I expect to see our regular gym users come back to use the facility. We're going to have some of our walkers on the walking track and we might see some new faces as well,” added Pyykka
Pyykka did note that the swimming pool will be closed for annual facility maintenance.
COVID-19 measures will be in place at the facility as people will have to call ahead and book their gym appointments and all gym times are an hour and fifteen minutes in length. Mask’s should be worn and they will be encouraging social distancing throughout the facility.
“We're just following what the Northwest Health Unit has laid out for us, and we just want to make sure people are still being safe and having an enjoyable time at the facility,” says Pyykka
Pyykka did add that all staff was able to return for the re-opening of the facility.
The province will remain in Step Three of the Roadmap for at least 21 days and until 80 per cent of the eligible population aged 12 and over have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 75 per cent have received their second, with no public health unit having less than 70 per cent of their population fully vaccinated. Other key public health and health care indicators must also continue to remain stable.
Upon meeting these thresholds, the vast majority of public health and workplace safety measures, including capacity limits for indoor and outdoor settings and limits for social gatherings, will be lifted. Only a small number of measures will remain in place, including the requirement for passive screening, such as posting a sign, and businesses requiring a safety plan.