Southwestern Ontario communities are gearing up for a busy tourist season without COVID-19 restrictions after having to struggle through the last two years.

Monday marked the opening of all the beaches in Elgin County after Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced all beaches and restaurants with outdoor patios would be able to as part of Phase 2 of the province's reopening plan.

“A school is not a building, it’s a community," said Central Elgin mayor Sally Martyn.