Simcoe North elected officials are singing in tune with the province, saying they're okay with seasonal residents coming to their cottages if they adhere to safety guidelines.
"By all means, your'e all welcome but please observe appropriate social distancing measures and hygiene and respect your neighbours," said Midland Mayor Stewart Strathearn.
Penetanguishene Mayor Doug Leroux said he hoped if people did come up to their cottage that's where they will stay.
"They will not be organizing large crowds and parties and it remains just family," he said. "I hope if they are coming up, they will bring their own needs and practise everything as we do with social distancing. That's what I would like to see."
Leroux said the municipality cannot prevent seasonal residents from visiting their secondary residences.
"They pay taxes and it's one of their residences, though not their main one," he said. "It's going to happen regardless. I know the premier has more or less opened the gates, so you can be sure it will happen. Our locals are hoping they will adhere to whatever the premier has asked: Bring their own supplies and social distance."
Starthearn said he thought a lot of seasonal residents have already been at their cottages for a while.
"If you've got a secondary residence that you can access by land, chances are they've been here already," he said. "If it's by water, my understanding is they're able to access that residence to determine if any damages have occurred and to arrange for repairs."
Tay Township Mayor Ted Walker said that was the message that came across during the joint phone conference with the premier.
"It did recognize that cottagers need to come up for maintenance purposes," he said, adding there were concerns about how the cold temperatures last weekend may have affected water pipes at cottages.
"So far, everyone that has been up has been compliant with the social distancing requirements and has been bringing their own supplies," Walker said, adding that he hasn't heard any concerns from permanent residents. "I have had a number of inquiries from seasonal residents asking if they could come up."
Tiny Township is also sticking with the same tune, said Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma.
"If you can stay home, please do so; we understand it hasn't mandated by the province," he said. "If you have to come up to the cottage, please practise all physical distancing guidelines and bring all your supplies with you."
Walma said permanent residents should give cottagers the benefit of the doubt and be kind.
"You don't know the circumstance for (why) your neighbours are at their cottage," he said. "So remember, at the end of all this, we're friends and neighbours and we gotta continue to be those for many years to come."
