News

This is to update the GHTA Inc. Covid-19 policy, in light of this afternoon’s announcement, for changes to go into effect 12:01 Saturday, April 17, 2021.
As outdoor gatherings are now prohibited except for between members of the same household +/- one member of another household who lives alone, all Ganaraska hikes are now suspended.  We are told that the current Stay at Home orders will extend to at least May 20, 2020.
We will update members as the situation changes.
We hope that you are still able to get out into the woods once in a while – the wildflowers are really springing to life right now with the warm spring and rains.  Stay safe.

Carol Strickland, for Frieda Baldwin, President, GHTA Inc.

GHTA Inc. Covid-19 Update – April 9, 2021

Since April 1, 2021, only a few days have passed, but a world of difference in protocol has happened.

As of April 8 (yesterday), the Provincial Stay-at-Home orders mandate that citizens may only leave their homes for certain essential purposes, which include exercise – but on certain government websites the wording is: “exercise with persons in your own household” (or if you live alone, with one other household).   We have been in touch with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit for clarification and they confirm that persons can still gather in groups of up to 5, maintaining social distance, wearing masks when that can’t happen.

Further, the Stay-at-Home orders restrict travel to “within your community”.  We asked for clarification of “community”, and the answer still did not give us a clear definition, but we understood that at a minimum, it means “within your local health unit region”.  To minimize the risk of transmitting Covid between actual communities, we therefore continue recommending  the limiting of travel time to a trailhead  within 15-30 minutes’ driving distance. 

So, the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc. is pleased to announce that its clubs can continue to offer hikes with up to 5 persons maximum including the leader and following all our previously described social distancing Covid protocols.  

Continue safe hiking – enjoy the spring!

Frieda Baldwin, President, 

Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association, Inc.

705 245 1005

Please be advised that in accordance with the new provincial lock-down rules announced today, as of Saturday, April 3, outdoor gatherings are restricted to 5 persons, which means our hikes can only be with a maximum of 5 persons, including the leader.  At the moment it seems that this will apply for a month, but if there is a change, we will again update our protocol.  All other pieces of the protocol apply – including maintain 2 meters’ physical distance from each other and from oncoming other hikers or bikers, wear masks when gathering or can’t maintain physical distance, don’t come on hikes if you yourself have symptoms, or have had significant contact with someone being tested for suspected Covid-infection. 

On March 8, 2021, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit region through which much of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail runs, will return to colour code Red again. 

As earlier in February, with that change, outdoor gatherings will have the restrictions lessened, allowing up to 25 participants. However, your Executive recommends that hike groups be restricted to 10. This allows for better adherence to social

distancing. Pre-registration is still required, including name and contact information of participants. If practical, we are also suggesting that Emergency Contact information (name of person to be contacted in the event of an emergency and their telephone number) be collected at the time of registration.

Unfortunately members living or working in grey-lockdown zone are still not allowed to join us on any group hikes.

Covid protocols are still in place – stay at home if you are feeling unwell (don’t join a group hike), wear a mask when gathering at the trailhead, or when you can’t maintain social distance, keep a distance of at least 6 feet (2 m) between yourself and others, and get 6 feet off the trail when meeting oncoming or passing hikers/bikers.

We are counting on our members to be responsible, keep travel for hiking to a minimum and stay close to home during the provincial stay-at-home order. Also, travel between Covid 19 zones must be avoided, and carpooling is not allowed. 

Fingers crossed that restrictions will continue to ease in time.

In the meantime, stay safe, and enjoy the great outdoors.

Frieda Baldwin

President, Ganaraska Hiking Trail Associaton Inc. 

705-245-1005

Frieda Baldwin
705-245-1005