Kincardine and area beaches are closed, due to COVID-19

The confusion is over. Effective today (May 15) at Noon, all beaches in Grey and Bruce counties are closed, by order of the Grey Bruce medical officer of health.

Dr. Ian Arra has ordered municipalities in the region to close all municipally-managed beaches, states a press release, issued Thursday by the Grey Bruce Health Unit.

This order, made pursuant to Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7, as amended, remains in effect until rescinded, and is consistent with provincial direction to close all provincial beaches.

Municipalities will be posting all relevant beaches.

“There is increased risk of transmission of COVID-19 in unsupervised and unregulated open public settings such as beaches,” says Arra, in the release. “Closing beaches will prevent their use by casual visitors, reduce unnecessary travel locally and inter-provincially, and lessen the attraction of others to visit the area.

“While the re-opening of certain sectors of the economy is a priority, there is a great need to continue to do everything possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Prior to this order, Kincardine had opened its beaches for people to exercise and walk their dogs, and even for surfing, stand-up paddle-boarding and canoeing.

To read the medical officer of health's order, click here.