Tomorrow is Friday the 13th and even in cold weather, the event would normally attract thousands of bikers and visitors to Port Dover.
PORT DOVER - Motorcyclists and others are being told to stay away from Port Dover tomorrow.
Police and health officials say they are afraid of the impact that Town's traditional Friday the 13th event will have on local residents and visitors considering the recent spike in COVID-19 cases.
Mayor Kristal Chopp says the County on the weekend, the Province moved Norfolk County into its new yellow "Protect" category of COVID-19 response due to increasing numbers of positive cases, clusters and outbreaks.
"As the Mayor of Norfolk County and a resident of Port Dover, I fully appreciate the importance of this event to our area, particularly for small local businesses who are already struggling. But a large gathering this week could lead to even more restrictions imposed by the Provincial government. That’s why we're asking people to please skip this event. We'll be here ready to welcome you all back when it’s safe to do so."
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Shanker Nesathurai is also calling on people to stay away from Port Dover on Friday, calling the potential for large crowds gathering in the area extremely worrisome.
Friday the 13th is not a formal event and can't be “cancelled” by the County, however a number of steps have been taken to discourage visitors, including denying permits for vendors on both County and private property and engaging in a messaging campaign in neighbouring jurisdictions."
The event is a tradition among motorcycle enthusiasts who have been converging on the Lake Erie community each Friday the 13th - since 1981.
OPP say the July 2018 event drew nearly 140,000 people.
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