Dear Lakesiders,

As we head into the last month of the Chautauqua season, we bring you an update from Lakeside. We hope this note finds you and your family healthy and safe. We continue to monitor the effects of COVID-19 and follow local and state health directives while continuing to operate our venues. To protect each other and our community, Lakeside Chautauqua ADVISES wearing a mask/facial covering whenever you are outside your residence, and also maintaining 6 feet of distance between you and others. 

As ordered by the State of Ohio , all individuals in the State of Ohio shall wear facial coverings at all times when:
  •  In any indoor location that is not a residence;
  • Outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet or more from individuals who are not members of their family/household; or
  • Waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, a taxi, car service, or a ride sharing vehicle. This does not apply to private or rental vehicles where members of a family/household are sharing a vehicle. 

In Lakeside, many places get crowded, which makes social distancing difficult. So in Lakeside, masks will be required at areas that are outdoors and are likely to have a large number of people congregating, such as the Business District, the Steele Memorial Bandstand and at various programs, as it is difficult to always meet the State of Ohio’s requirement to maintain a distance of six feet or more and practice safe social distancing. 

Therefore, MASKS ARE REQUIRED at the following locations in Lakeside because these are the most likely to be crowded:  

  • Business District (Second St. between Maple Ave. and Central Ave., and Walnut Ave. between Bettinger Park and Third St.)
  • All shops, restaurants and services
  • Steele Memorial Bandstand programs and shows
  • Rhein Center classes
  • Farmers' Market
  • Shuffleboard
  • Miniature golf
  • Programs at the Train Station patio
  • Programs outside Bradley Temple
  • Programs at the Memorial Garden
  • Programs at Cherry Park
  • Teen Center tent
  • Wednesday Family Picnics in Perry Park when not eating/drinking
  • Hotel Lakeside
  • Fountain Inn
  • All Lakeside Chautauqua Administration offices
  • Heritage Hall Museum
  • Campground area
  • While waiting for or riding a shuttle

Masks are NOT required at the following locations:
  • Private residences
  • Individual campsites at the Campground
  • On the beach or sunbathing on the dock
  • While swimming in the lake or the pool
  • At the Fitness Room while working out
  • While running/jogging throughout Lakeside
  • At Fitness Classes
  • While playing tennis, pickleball, basketball or volleyball

The following do NOT have to wear a mask or facial covering:
  • Those who have a medical condition or disability
  • Those trying to communicate with someone who has a disability 
  • Those actively exercising or playing sports
  • Those who officiate religious services
  • Those actively involved in public safety
  • Those actively eating or drinking
  • Those who are 10 years and younger

What about?
  • Lakefront path and nature/walking trail: If you are walking in uncrowded areas, we recommend masks, but the State of Ohio order does not require them. In crowded areas like where the lakefront path is in Bettinger Park, masks should be worn.
  • All parks/playgrounds: If you are actively playing, then masks are not required. But if the park/playground is crowded and you are not actively playing, masks should be worn.
  • Pavilion decks: If you are sitting on an uncrowded deck of the Pavilion, we recommend masks, but the State of Ohio order does not require them. If the deck is crowded, then masks should be worn.
  • Dock: If you are sunbathing or actively swimming, then masks are not required, but we encourage masks when walking on the dock or viewing the sunset. NOTE: The CDC advises not wearing masks while engaged in activities that may cause the mask to become wet, like when swimming at the beach or pool. A wet cloth face covering may make it difficult to breathe. Therefore, activities like swimming or even walking on the dock, it is particularly important to maintain social distancing.

As we reported on Sunday, we have had a staff member test positive and a guest who may have been exposed through a family member who is not at Lakeside. As these cases were reported to Lakeside, we followed all required protocols set by the Ottawa County Health Department: notifying people who may have been in contact with the individuals, quarantining certain individuals who were exposed, providing appropriate guidance for people to follow, and cleaning and sanitizing any affected areas. To protect their privacy, information about the employee and guest will not be revealed. People who may have been in contact with the individuals were directly notified by Lakeside Chautauqua.  

These situations are a reminder that no one and no place is immune to this virus, and we must all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. You can do this by:
  • Wearing a mask/face covering as much as possible,
  • Continuing to social distance (at least 6 feet) between individuals,
  • Avoiding groups of 10 people or more,
  • Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds,
  • Avoiding touching your mouth, nose or eyes,
  • Covering coughs and sneezes with your arm,
  • Cleaning frequently touched surfaces,
  • Avoiding those that are sick, and
  • Staying home if you are sick

The typical COVID-19 symptoms are: cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, congestion or headache. If you begin to experience any of these symptoms, please quarantine yourself and contact your health provider immediately. If you feel you have any symptoms at all, please refrain from visiting Lakeside Chautauqua. If you are already in Lakeside and have symptoms, please contact your doctor, quarantine for up to 14 days, wear a mask/face covering at all times, maintain 6 feet of distance between you and others, and use hand sanitizer and wash hands frequently with soap and water. If your doctor recommends that you be tested for COVID-19, tests are performed nearby at  Magruder Hospital .  

As a reminder, if you have tested positive for COVID-19 during or after your visit to Lakeside, immediately notify the Ottawa County Health Department at (419) 734-6800 and Lakeside Chautauqua at (419) 798-4461. The Ottawa County Health Department can assist you with proper quarantine procedures and access to health care in the area to protect you and others in the community.
 
Again, protect yourself, family, friends, neighbors and our Lakeside community by taking the precautions listed above and especially wearing a mask/facial covering as described in the details above. Parents, please urge your children/teens to wear masks.
 
We are counting on you to do your part to keep everyone at Lakeside safe.
Lakeside Chautauqua
  Copyright © 2018 Lakeside Chautauqua. All rights reserved.