OPP handing out fines to those not complying with emergency orders

The OPP is helping the province of Ontario stop the spread of COVID-19. Earlier this week Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency in Ontario. The OPP says anyone failing to comply with an order made during an emergency declaration will be charged. 

The OPP says failure to comply with an order made during a declared emergency will result in a $750 fine, obstructing anyone exercising a power in accordance with an order made during a declared emergency comes with $1,000 fine and obstructing someone performing a duty in accordance with an emergency declaration results in $1,000 fine.

If you believe an individual or business is slowing efforts to ‘flatten the curve,’ use the OPP online reporting tool at opp.ca/reporting or call 1-888-310-1122. As a result of the state of emergency in Ontario the following establishments are expected to remain closed until further notice.

• all bars and restaurants, except to the extent that such facilities provide takeout and food delivery;
• all facilities providing indoor recreational programs;
• all public libraries;
• all private schools;
• all licensed child care centres;
• all movie cinemas and all theatres, including those offering live performances of music, dance and other art forms; 
• all concert venues.

If the establishments listed above do not close they face a risk of being fined. A woman in Quebec City was recently arrested after not following quarantine orders. The health centre in Quebec says when a person receives an isolation order police are asked to do surveillance to make sure the orders are followed. If a person violates the order they can be arrested and taken to a location that is safe for both them and the public. According to the Ottawa Citizen the woman was taken to hospital yesterday (Friday, March 20th) to be treated for COVID-19. 

The Acting Medical Officer of Health for the Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU), Doctor Robert Cushman, is strongly recommending that the following locations be included to best protect the public and ensure social distancing. At this point they’re not forced to shut their doors by the province, but the local health unit recommends the following establishments close. 

• personal service settings (hair salons, esthetician, tattoo studios and tanning salons etc.);
• hotel pools and spas;
• unlicensed childcare centres.

The RCDHU is also recommending that individuals stay home unless necessary and that you cancel or postpone any social gathering or event that exceeds 10 people. The health unit is urging residents to take social distancing measures seriously. The RCDHU adds this doesn’t mean you must stay confined to your home and you’re still encouraged to go for a walk, but if you need to go out for groceries or to the store, just be sure to follow proper hand hygiene, avoid crowds and maintain a distance of 2 metres from those around you.

Tips for social distancing from the Renfrew County and District Health Unit include:

• Avoiding non-essential trips in the community.
• If you have to go into the community for an essential trip via taxi or rideshare, be sure to
  keep the windows down.
• Avoiding visits to Long-Term Care Homes, Retirement Homes, Supportive Housing,
  hospitals, Hospices and other congregate care settings unless the visit is absolutely
  essential.
• Talk to your supervisor, manager, or employer about the possibility of working from
  home.
• If you have meetings planned, consider doing them virtually instead of in person.
• Avoid sending children to daycare.
• Limit or consider cancelling group gatherings of greater than 10 people

The RCDHU wants to remind residents that while you may not feel sick, and these measures are an inconvenience, to be mindful of the members of our community who are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than others. Anyone who thinks they may have COVID-19 is asked to self-isolate and seek advice over the phone. You are asked to contact either Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000) or the Renfrew County and District Health Unit (613-735-8654 ext. 577). At this time there are no reported cases of COVID-19 in Renfrew County.

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