PLEASE help our government understand they are making things unnecessarily difficult! 

While we are not being ignorant to the global and local pandemic circumstances and the efforts that are being made to contain the COVID-19 spread, we definitely should not need petitions to request safe outdoor weekend access!

Please sign and share if you agree.

More than half of Ontario’s population have received their first dose vaccine and outdoor limits currently in place allow for gatherings of up to five people, “including with members of different households”. Camping is still prohibited until Stage 1 but parks remained open for day time use of outdoor activities. Hotels and motels are open to the public but sleeping in our trailer or tent with members of the same household is not allowed. We strongly feel that overnight camping and outdoor time with same household members should not be illegal! 

Camping is among one of the safest activity one could appreciate in these unprecedented times. It also allows for plenty of space between us and others which has been scientifically established as an effective measure against spreading COVID-19. “Science is clear: Outdoor COVID transmission is extremely rare”. https://t.co/F0RhBXe7MK

All epidemiologists state that being outdoors is safer and more important now than ever before! Cases have decreased considerably across the province because of vaccinations, education, advocacy for being outdoors or in well ventilated spaces, and other efforts that are not related to overnight camping restrictions. Other equally safe sector groups are free to enjoy the outdoors that we all so desperately need for our mental, social, physical and emotional health! 

We are responsible tax payers, parents, and grandparents who have worked hard for a break alternative while the weather permits it. Camping is our unique way of reducing stress and improve our emotional and physical health! It is the only thing we had left to look forward after months of waiting!

Even if we come from different locations, we can safely camp by following the public measures already in place (e.g. not spending time indoors or having close contact with others, not sharing food or objects, wearing masks, completing the government’s self-assessment COVID-19 test and emailing results to campgrounds instead of workplaces, being prepared campers by continuing to purchase necessities locally, etc).

Keeping camping closed until Stage 1 has no impact on controlling the spread of COVID-19, increasing vaccination rates or decreasing ICU capacity. Instead, it has serious unwanted adverse effects on adults and children alike who are continuing to be deprived of another safe outdoor activity while the weather allows it.

We are respectfully asking our government to reconsider and reverse the ban on camping at once! Not lifting this restriction IMMEDIATELY is an unjust decision, further disappoints and harms our well-being.