Community gardens are now essential. Here’s how it will work in Hamilton

Hamilton | Ontario | Latest News |

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Published May 1, 2020 at 5:24 pm

The City of Hamilton has shared some guidelines for operating communities gardens now that they have been labelled essential by the province.

The City of Hamilton has shared some guidelines for operating communities gardens now that they have been labelled essential by the province.

On Friday (May 1), the city issued the guidelines as the spring planting season grows ever nearer.

Last week, the province announced that they would allow community gardens and allotment gardens under the guidance of local public health units.

“Community gardens are now considered essential,” the Hamilton guidelines state.

“As essential, they do not have to limit themselves to gatherings of 5 people or less.”

The city does ask, however, that they respect physical distancing recommendations that residents keep at least six feet or two metres apart while tending them.

Access to the garden should be restricted to registered members staff and volunteers, the guidelines ask and there should be a sign-in and sign-out sheet.

Gardeners are asked to constantly wash their hands or have access to hand sanitizers as well as avoid sharing gardening tools.

Anyone exhibiting possible COVID-19 symptoms should not tend the garden and it’s suggested that groups may want to consider screening people prior to entering the garden.

Gardens will be required to put up appropriate signage stipulating the measures in place to protect people accessing the gardens during the pandemic.

To check out the city’s guidelines, visit the website.

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