The City of Kingston closed the Gord Downie Pier and Breakwater Park Beach Area for the season on Saturday morning.

The decision was made in consultation with Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health to address the large crowds of people gathering in close proximity at the pier and beach area over the last week.

“In discussions with Dr. Moore [of KFL&A Public Health] and Kingston Police, it’s become clear the large areas at Breakwater Park have made it too difficult to maintain or enforce physical distancing,” Mayor Brian Paterson wrote in a statement shared to Facebook.

“Public safety remains my top priority, so based on Dr. Moore’s recommendation, I have issued an amended emergency order to close the pier and the beach area for the rest of the season.”

The city installed fencing across the entrance to the area at 11 a.m.

Other areas of Breakwater Park are open to the public, but individuals are required to maintain two metres of physical distancing from those who aren’t from their same household or part of their ‘bubble’ of 10 people.

The emergency order will remain in effect for 28 days and can be extended for a further period, if necessary.