Stressing it is a precaution and that the risk of infection remains low, the City of Windsor is shuttering all arenas, pools, museums, and community centres as of Sunday evening.
The Windsor Public Library will continue to operate e-services, but branch libraries are closed until April 30.
Adventure Bay Family Water Park has adjusted its hours and is limiting attendance to 250 patrons.
Acting Mayor Joanne Gignac, flanked the city's CAO, the executive director of Parks and Recreation, and the fire chief, announced the closures during a rare Saturday evening news conference at Windsor City Hall.
"We all have to take precautions. It's as simple as that," she said. "If you don't take the measures, and there's a terrible consequence, then you will be condemned."
The facilities will remain closed until April 6.
Windsor CAO Onorio Colucci, March 14, 2020. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
"We are mindful of the disruption to people's lives that were planning to use those facilities, but at the end of the day, we have to be primarily concerned with the health and safety of our residents and our employees," CAO, Onorio Colucci told reporters.
During that time, city staff will increase cleaning at the facilities that will remain open, including City Hall. Those measures include disinfecting all bathroom surfaces, door handles, light switches, handrails, elevator buttons, and tables.
There are also new restrictions at Huron Lodge, the city's long-term care facility. Visitors, except those who have a loved one who is gravely ill or at the end of their life, are not allowed. Those visitors will be screened for COVID-19 and could be turned away. All family gatherings are cancelled until further notice.
Families have the option of caring for their loved ones at home during the pandemic.
Transit Windsor service will operate as usual.
Responding to a question about whether the border with the U.S. should be closed during the pandemic, Mayor Drew Dilkens, over the phone from Jordan where he is vacationing with his family, was careful to say any such decision must be balanced.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens on the phone. (Photo courtesy of Drew Dilkens)
"It certainly must be something that is on their radar," said Dilkens of U.S. President Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "But, we know what happened during 9/11 with respect to hospitals over in the U.S. being able to operate because of the lack of Canadian nurses. We have around 6,000 residents in Windsor-Essex who cross the border to work -- I'm hopeful that we don't have to get that far, but we'll just have to wait and see."
Only the federal government can order the border closed.
Meanwhile, many residents may still have plans to attend different St. Patrick Day celebrations on Tuesday. Gignac said only the health unit, not the city, can ban such gatherings. However, she said residents must use their judgement.
"You can turn your TV on tonight and see what's happening everywhere in the world," she said, explaining she cancelled a trip to India next week. "Be mindful of where you're going."
Colucci added, "certainly, the events that we're involved with, we've asked them to keep attendance below 250."
Dilkens has spoken with officials at both Caesars Windsor and Devonshire Mall, places where large groups gather.
"Devonshire Mall has taken a number of proactive measures with respect to the availability of supplies to allow people to wash their hands," he said. "To be really frank here, when we close a lot of our facilities -- we know that will put pressure on other places."
City staff stressed there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Windsor or Essex County, and say they are continuing to monitor developments.