Avleen K Mokha
MONTRÉAL, /CNW Telbec/ – Following recommendations of the Direction régionale de santé publique (DRSP), the Organisation de sécurité civile de l’agglomération de Montréal is announcing that it is entering mode 1 of its Extreme heat special response plan as of today, July 10.
The Response mode, which began this morning, includes a joint operation with the Service de sécurité incendie and the city police SPVM to go door-to-door in order reach vulnerable populations.
Aquatic facilities
Montréal will extend the opening hours of several aquatic facilities, including splash pads, pools and wading pools, so that residents can have places to cool off. Residents can find a facility near you using this online map (in French).
Beaches
Public health authorized the opening of beaches and other public and private natural spaces on June 22. Since then, beaches at Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques, Parc-nature de L’Île-Bizard, as well as the Verdun beach, are open with specific guidelines for aquatic activities.
Moreover, the Société Jean-Drapeau plans to reopen the Jean-Doré beach tomorrow, July 11.
Montréal has put the following measures in place to ensure safe use of beaches:
- Montrealers who have COVID-19 symptoms are asked to stay home
- Access to facilities will be denied to persons who have COVID-19 symptoms, have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 or have returned from a trip outside of the country within the last 14 days
- People should get ready at home, shower, apply sunscreen and put on their bathing suit before arriving at the pool
- People must wash their hands before and after swimming
- Changing rooms will be closed but washrooms will be open
- Users must follow physical distancing rules at all times
Some boroughs will have to control the amount of time users spend in the pool to ensure that as many residents as possible can take advantage of the water.
Air-conditioned public places
Citizens can take advantage of air-conditioned public spaces to get a break from the heat.
An online map shows the air-conditioned public places that are open for Montrealers.
However, people must follow the recommendations in effect issued by public health officials, specifically those related to physical distancing.
Crucially, people should expect line ups outside of businesses given the Covid-19 pandemic. If you head out, bring a water bottle and a hat.
How to protect yourself during a heat wave
During periods of extreme heat, the City strongly recommends that you:
- Drink a lot of water;
- Take cool showers or baths often;
- Limit physical activity;
- Wear light clothing.
