By: Mike Anderson
The province is giving local marinas the green light to start preparing to open as part of a wider plan to reopen select seasonal businesses.
However, marinas will stay closed to the public until the province is assured that strict public health measures are in place and they can operate safely.
Beginning on May 4, marinas will be able to service boats and other watercraft and place then in the water. However, boats and watercraft must be secured to a dock in the marina until public access is allowed, according to a news release issued on May 1.
“We are allowing certain businesses to reopen under strict guidelines because we are confident they can operate safely and adapt to the current environment,” said Premier Doug Ford in the release.
“While further reductions in the spread are needed before we can begin reopening the province, we have the right framework and the right workplace guidelines in place to do so gradually and safely.”
While local marinas are allowed to prepare to start-up, it’s still not clear when they may open to the public, and what new regulations will govern recreational boating.
However, at least one local marina operator is optimistic that it may be just a few weeks away.
“I am taking that as a sign that perhaps we may be able to open to the public in another week or two,” said Donna Green, owner of the Island Grove Marina, in a email to The Post. “We are not open to the public. But we are preparing for that.”
Apart from Marinas, here’s a list of other businesses that will be permitted to begin operations on Monday, May 4 at 12:01 a.m.:
- Garden centres and nurseries with curbside pick-up and delivery only;
- Lawn care and landscaping;
- Additional essential construction projects that include:
- shipping and logistics;
- broadband, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure;
- any other project that supports the improved delivery of goods and services;
- municipal projects;
- colleges and universities;
- child care centres;
- schools; and
- site preparation, excavation, and servicing for institutional, commercial, industrial and residential development;
- Automatic and self-serve car washes;
- Auto dealerships, open by appointment only;
- Golf courses may prepare their courses for the upcoming season, but not open to the public
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