Here's The Release From Peterborough Police Service In Response To Enforcement Of Provincial Emergency And Stay-At-Order
/Here’s the police release…
“As part of the new COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order and the Provincial Emergency Declaration, the Peterborough Police Service will be stepping up enforcement.
Within the provincial orders yesterday were new enforcement measures. They are as follows:
The province will provide authority to all provincial offences officers, including the Ontario Provincial Police, local police forces, bylaw officers, and provincial workplace inspectors to issue tickets to individuals:
who do not comply with the stay-at-home-order
who are not wearing a mask or face covering indoors in places open to the public, subject to limited exceptions
Or
retail operators and companies who do not enforce requirements under orders under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act (ROA) or EMPCA.
Those who decide not to abide by orders will be subject to a set fine and/or prosecution under both the ROA and EMCPA as applicable.
In addition, all provincial offences officers will have the authority to temporarily close a premise and disperse individuals who are in contravention of the gathering limits and will be able to disperse people who are gathering, regardless whether a premise has been closed or remains open such as a park.
All provincial offences officers who have reasonable and probable grounds to believe that an individual has committed an offence under section 7.0.11 of the EMCPA may require the individual to provide the officer with the individual’s correct name, date of birth and address. Individuals are required to promptly comply. Verbal identification is sufficient. Physical identification such as a driver’s licence is not required.
New protection measures as stated by the provincial government yesterday:
Taking effect January 14, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.:
Outdoor organized public gatherings and social gatherings are further restricted to a limit of five people with limited exceptions. This is consistent with the rules during the lockdown during the first wave of COVID-19 in spring 2020 and will allow individuals and families to enjoy time outdoors safely.
Individuals are required to wear a mask or face covering in the indoor areas of businesses or organizations that are open. Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can't physically distance more than two metres.
All non-essential retail stores, including hardware stores, alcohol retailers, and those offering curbside pickup or delivery, must open no earlier than 7 a.m. and close no later than 8 p.m. The restricted hours of operation do not apply to stores that primarily sell food, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants for takeout or delivery.
Non-essential construction is further restricted, including below-grade construction, exempting survey. (More to come from the province)
These measures will come into effect between Tuesday January 12, 2021 and Thursday, January 14, 2021, including the provincial declaration of emergency under the EMCPA, orders under that Act, and amendments to regulations under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020.
Read the Ontario Government directive.
“We are asking residents to comply with the provincial orders,” says Chief Scott Gilbert, Peterborough Police Service. “Enforcement will take place and it’s not going to be cautions. Fines will be laid.”
Under the EMPCA (Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act) and the Re-Opening Ontario Act the fines are as follows:
$750 - Fail to comply with an order made during a declared emergency
$1000 - Obstruct any person exercising a power in accordance with an order made during a declared emergency
$1000 - Obstruct any person performing a duty in accordance with an order made during a declared emergency
