CLOCKWISE is COVID-wise is the catch-cry in the nation's capital with runners, walkers and cyclists now told to travel one way about Lake Burley Griffin.
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It is a similar case at Mount Gambier's Blue Lake and even across the other side of the world in Canada's Regina province in a bid to help stop the spread of coronavirus while exercising.
Lake Wendouree's Steve Moneghetti Track has become a busy destination for residents flexing one of their four reasons to get out of the house in Victoria's stage three lockdowns - exercise - but remains up to the individual to keep doing the right thing in social distancing.
City of Ballarat councillor and lake runner Samantha McIntosh said the Ballarat community had responded well to social distancing and embracing what we can do outside and the lake was a great example of this.
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Cr McIntosh said the lake has long been a great place to exercise solo or in pairs and while it was busier, it was a good busy and done by obeying the restrictions.
"The lake is a wonderful place for people to get out and about, with social distancing in mind, for fresh air and health benefits," Cr McIntosh said.
"While it is important to prevent the virus spreading, we have to remember we are all human beings. We need to have more focus on health for mind, body and soul and the lake gives an opportunity to do that."
Retired professional cyclist Pat Shaw told The Courier it had been great to see more people out riding during isolation but with this had also come great respect for each other. Mr Shaw said the Skipton Rail Trail, for example, people had been really respectful with each other in giving space.
Running, walking, cycling and kick-to-kick on football ovals is allowed under stage three restrictions by keeping social distance, 1.5 metres from others, and only in pairs or with members from your household.
University of Sydney professor Emmanuel Stamatakis urged people to stick to their government advice on exercising and to be sensible and when and where they choose to exercise, for example trying to avoid busy work-out periods.
Professor Stamatakis, writing for The Conversation, said news last week about the potential droplets with the virus travelling further in breaths from runners and cyclists had not been peer-reviewed and was a hypothetical computer simulation based on a string of environmental assumptions.
He said physical exercise was important for physical and mental health, particularly as a coping mechanism, for people during the pandemic. His other tips include:
- When doing exercise in pairs, such as running, then stick to at least 1.5m from anyone else including walkers and fellow runners.
- If needing to cough or sneeze when running or cycling, cover your nose and mouth in your sleeve and move further away from others.
- If wanting to go down a narrow path, try going very early in the morning.
While it is important to prevent the virus spreading, we have to remember we are all human beings. We need to have more focus on health for mind, body and soul and the lake gives an opportunity to do that.
- Samantha McIntosh, City of Ballarat councillor
Cr McIntosh said this was a great chance for people to explore and use landscapes about Ballarat, like trying a bush walk or trails like the Yarrowee Trail to the Gong or the other side of the Yarrowee from Tip Hill to Sebastopol.
"I think this is our community's opportunity to really embrace what's surrounding our city," Cr McIntosh said. "It's also a nice way to gather our thoughts while we do not have the same crazy busy lifestyles."
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