People looking for a day of sun, sand, and swimming will soon be able to hit the beaches in Port Burwell, Port Bruce, and Port Stanley.
Elgin County has announced it will reopen its public beaches on June 22, if COVID-19 cases across the region remain low.
"We know that people are eager for our beaches to open as soon as possible,” said Elgin County Warden Dave Mennill. "Opening of our beaches is imminent and will occur as soon as June 22 if our successful efforts to date to contain COVID-19 continue but we do ask for the public’s patience as we take the time to properly prepare these beaches for a safe re-opening."
Beaches, along with restaurant and bar patios, were granted the go-ahead from the province to reopen as of Friday as part of Ontario's phase two reopening plan. However, the actual reopening date remained up to individual municipalities as they have to ensure safety measures and regulations are in place to continue to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Elgin County has consulted with public health officials at its local health unit - Southwestern Public Health - and will be posting signs at each of its beaches to remind visitors of the need to practice physical distancing of at least 2 metres with those who do not reside in the same household. Public washrooms will be open and cleaned on a regular basis, but visitors are encouraged to bring hand sanitizer.
Once the beaches are open, anyone who arrives to find a crowded or full beach is instructed to wait until a space opens up before entering or come back another time.
"Crowded beaches where physical distancing is not observed will only result in closed beaches and no one wants that," said Mennill. "We all have a shared responsibility to use public spaces wisely given that the threat from COVID-19 remains real."
In order to spare beach-goers a wasted trip, the county is setting up a Facebook page called Central Elgin Beach Rescue that will advise when the beach is open and updated with whether there is space available for visitors. Uniformed staff will be patrolling the beaches reminding anyone who isn't adhering to physical distancing rules to do so.
Anyone who is feeling sick or unwell is asked not to come to the beach.
In accordance with the province's emergency order, social gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited.
