Schools, attractions, most city facilities all closed Monday

Mostcity facilities, schools, entertainment venues and museums in Ottawa are closed today as public health officials and politicians do their best to halt the spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa's chief medical officer, hasasked people to limit the number of "non-essential" trips outside their homesand to take precautions and avoid crowds if they do have to go out.

She also said anyone who can take their child out of daycare should as child care facilities begin screening both visitors and those under their care for symptoms of the respiratory illness.

Monday's closures include:

• All federally run museums,
• The Bytown Museum,
• Casino du Lac-Leamy,
• Parliament of Canada,
• Senate of Canada,
• All mosques in Ottawa-Gatineau.
• The National Arts Centre,
• The National Art Gallery,
• TD Place,
• Canadian Tire Centre and the Sensplex,
• The majority of city facilities, includinglibraries and recreation centres; late fees are waived.
• The YMCA,
• TheRideau Carleton Racewayand Casino,
• NordikSpa-Nature,
• All "non-essential" services at Carleton University.

Publicly funded schools in Ontario have also been ordered to shut downuntil April 5, although they would have been closed Monday in any case for the March break.

As well, recreational and leisure sites in western Quebec including bars, clubs, gyms and movie theatres have been ordered to close by the provincial government.

Gatineau's municipal court hearings are suspended for a week.