May 25 likely date for Mississauga and Brampton’s return to outdoor activities

Brampton | Mississauga | Ontario | Latest News |

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Published May 19, 2021 at 10:51 pm

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Mississauga and Brampton residents will be able to take part in outdoor group activities again after the upcoming long-weekend with May 25 the likely re-opening date.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is expected to announce the re-opening plan as early as tomorrow which will mean a partial return to normalcy for some as golf, soccer, cricket, tennis, baseball and basketball will be allowed to take place once again.

Sources indicate Ford wants to get people outdoors quickly to ease the transition into the lifting of the strict stay-at-home order that is in place until June 2.

Although an exact date has not been determined for the re-opening of outdoor amenities, it is believed the Province does not want to give its blessing in time for the Victoria Day holiday over fears it could cause a spike in new COVID-19 cases and disrupt all re-opening plans.

The Ontario government has been under increasing pressure to allow outdoor recreation and group activities from several quarters including members of the medical community who believe the risk of the virus spreading in an open environment is minimal. As well, athletic organizations and have been lending a voice to the cause saying physical exercise is necessary for people who have been cooped up inside for months.

Outdoor activities have been off the table as Peel Region has been under a strict stay-at-home order that has disrupted outdoor gatherings on-and-off since last November.

Earlier this week Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott suggested the ban on outdoor activities could be lifted before the stay-at-home order ends but stopped short of committing to a firm date.

And while it appears May 25 appears to be the date for the targeted re-opening, some sources say members of Ford’s Cabinet have been lobbying hard to have the sanctions lifted before the long-weekend which is still a possibility as of Wednesday evening.

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