Toronto shutting down outdoor amenities amid backlash to new restrictions

Toronto begins to shut down many outdoor amenities on Tuesday in what is expected to be a week-long process.

The province has already backtracked on the decision to close all playgrounds but soccer fields, tennis courts and other outdoor recreation facilities are gradually being closed.

Signs will be posted at any playground amenities that are allowed to remain open, outlining the guidelines for their use.

The inclusion of playgrounds in the new public health measures introduced by the province on Friday was short-lived. Premier Doug Ford himself took to Twitter over the weekend to announce that the restrictions surrounding playgrounds would be reversed, saying “enhanced restrictions were always intended to stop large gatherings where spread can happen.”

The move to repeal the playground closures came after a number of municipal leaders, along with parents and medical professionals questioned the governments decision.

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RELATED: Ford government faces heat at Queen’s Park amidst calls for Premier to resign

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The chair of the province’s science table is speaking out against the closure of the outdoor amenities as fallout continues from the Ford government’s heavily criticized enhanced measures.

Dr. Peter Juni, Scientific Director of Ontario’s science advisory table, says he nearly resigned after the new measures were announced on Friday.

Speaking to CityNews, Juni says the further restrictions on outdoor activities were not advised by the panel.

“When it comes to the outdoor spaces it’s actually the opposite of what we were pointing to,” said Juni.

The Ford government received waves of backlash over the weekend following the announcement, with many health experts contending people should be encouraged to get outside, arguing it is safer then having them congregate in indoor settings.

More criticism towards new restrictions is coming from the nation’s capital where calls are growing to scrap the interprovincial border checkpoints.

Ottawa mayor Jim Watson called the measure “a nightmare,” leading to hours long traffic tie ups that delay essential workers and waste police resources.

Ottawa police started enforcing restrictions on interprovincial travel at the Ontario-Quebec border on Monday but for the time being, there are no plans to issue fines to anyone trying to enter the province.

As part of the Ford government’s measures announced Friday, non-essential travel into Ontario from Manitoba and Quebec is restricted and a person may be stopped by police who may ask questions as to their purpose for coming into the province.

Watson is calling for the province to at least pay for the officers that are being forced to screen the incoming vehicles at seven entry points.

Ontario reversed course on sweeping police powers Saturday, just one day after Premier Ford announced the measures that also triggered a swift and furious backlash.

In a scathing statement issued on Monday, Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca urged Ford to step down for the sake of the province.

“I am calling on Doug Ford to do the honourable and right thing, to recognize his own limitations and to resign,” said Del Duca.