The local Medical Officer of Health said she has concerns with large crowds gathering for Santa Claus parades.
Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Natalie Bocking made the comment during her weekly media scrum on Wednesday, October 20, 2021.
Dr. Bocking who has children said they’d love to go to a parade.
“(But) when I think of parades and I think of often large crowds pressed closely together – that’s not something I’m comfortable with right now.”
On Monday, Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini sent an e-mail to all mayors in his riding asking if they would participate in a meeting with Dr. Bocking, “to discuss how we can safely plan these events and ensure they take place.”
The Zoom meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 25 at 8 a.m.
Dr. Bocking stated during the weekly media scrum that parades fall under the “special events” under Step 3 of the Reopening Ontario Act.
The Health Unit is not involved in approving parades said Dr. Bocking.
“This is a responsibility that falls to the municipalities.”
“I think if we were to see parades that did encourage some distancing that had an opportunity to ensure people could see what the floats were, but had appropriate measures in place.”
But Dr. Bocking also added, “we have to respect the regulations.”
The current capacity limits for a special event are 100 people in a outdoor gathering.
“So when we think about the length of a city block, that’s quite a lot of people in one space. So I think that things that parade organizers will have to consider will be spacing, will be encouraging people to participate in all the other ongoing public health measures, such as wearing a mask, such as hand hygiene, having hand sanitizer available.”
Dr. Bocking said the Health Unit doesn’t approve a safety plan for a parade, but adds, “we are a resource both to the municipalities and organizers if they have questions how parades can be held safely.”
The municipality is responsible for ensuring COVID requirements are being met through their by-law or police department.
“There are opportunities for parade organizers to look at ways to adapt how they host parades to meet the current restrictions under Step 3 of the regulations,” said Dr. Bocking.
But the Health Unit is not responsible for any decisions about cancellations.
“We’re also waiting to hear from the province whether we are going to continue in Step 3 of the Reopening Ontario Act or whether we will see further easing in restrictions which might impact capacity restrictions for special events like parades.”
“The biggest thing is related to crowding.”
Santa Claus parades are being held in some municipalities after being “modified.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
