Is it safe to go for a walk?

COVID-19 is spread "mainly by coughing, sneezing or direct contact with a sick person or with surfaces they have recently touched," Alberta Health Services says. If you are walking alone, there is no problem at all. If you are with people, maintain a distance of two metres.

"There is no danger if someone who is self-isolating goes for a walk outside and stays 2 metres away from others," tweeted Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. "Going outside and being active should be encouraged." Both she and Mayor Don Iveson have also cautioned walkers and runners to still keep their distance from each other and not bunch up on, for example, the stairs near the Royal Glenora Club. 

Exploring Edmonton's river valley and walking your dog are among the recommendations from the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues for maintaining your mental and physical health. The Edmonton Sport Council concurs, as does Walkable Edmonton. Here are some neighbourhood walking maps.

On March 30, Hinshaw updated her recommendation on walking to align with new federal rules under the Quarantine Act. "Albertans under mandatory self-isolation are now required to remain inside and can only go for walks on their own property, such as their backyard, for the duration of their self-isolation." Additionally, people who live in apartment buildings or highrises "must stay inside and cannot use the elevators or stairwells to go outside."