The second restart effort of the provincial government began at midnight starting last Friday with patio dining once more allowed at all restaurants with the facilities to allow patrons to sit outside for meals while still observing social distancing guidelines. 

Children and adults were also able to enjoy a number of outdoor sports and plan activities on a limited scale as the pandemic restrictions on outdoor gatherings were relaxed a bit. Family groups could enjoy trips to neighbourhood parks for soccer or baseball, or go to outdoor municipal pools or splash pads as long as they kept to themselves and did not mingle with anyone else at the recreational sites. 

Skate parks, tennis courts, BMX parks, playgrounds and various other outdoor recreation sites are also open again for use for a limited number of participants. A complete list of such sites is available through the provincial government website. Social distancing guidelines still apply to individuals and family groups enjoying the use of these facilities. 

Provincial restrictions still remain in effect for many indoor recreation facilities like the municipal pool at the Rockland YMCA, which is still closed to the public. These facilities and others may reopen later in the year as the number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 increases and the provincial and federal governments monitor the state of the pandemic.