Patience needed as communities begin to reopen facilities: MNL
Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) is asking residents across the province to be patient as communities work to reopen facilities and offer programs under new Alert Level 2 guidelines.
As announced this week — Under Alert Level 2, which began Thursday — playgrounds, arenas, pools and fitness centres can reopen with restrictions and additional sanitation protocols.
Many of these facilities are municipally owned and operated.
“We want to make sure that residents know that just because these facilities are permitted to open, it does not mean that they will open right away,” said MNL president
Sheila Fitzgerald. “The ability of municipalities to offer these services will depend upon a number of considerations, including the time required to hire and train staff as well as make the necessary modifications to facilities. We have to support our municipal councils and staff as they work through what is safely possible at this time.”
The provincial government announced Thursday the province continues to have no active cases of COVID-19 and no new confirmed cases.
Two hundred and fiftyeight people have recovered from the coronavirus. To date, 16,901 people have been tested.
In Alert Level 2, the province says individuals should continue to practice good infection prevention and control practices.
Fitzgerald said municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador, and across the country, are facing financial constraints as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as loss of revenue and increased costs have affected operational budgets.
Municipal facilities and services where gatherings occur require increased staffing and sanitization to ensure safety.
In St. John’s, skateparks, basketball courts, hard-surface courts and the Bowring Park Duck Pond are open. All playgrounds will reopen on Saturday.
On Monday, July 6, city council will resume in-person meetings in council chambers at St. John’s City Hall. To maintain physical distancing, council chambers will remain closed to the public and media. All council meetings are broadcast live on the city’s website.
As announced on June 18, municipal outdoor sports fields in St. John’s are reopening on a case-by-case basis as “return to play” documents for various sports organization are approved.
Outdoor pools, splash pads and recreation facilities remain closed, with an update on opening dates to be provided early next week.