Hub Staff
The Town of Saugeen Shores issued a press release Thursday concerning the new Stay at Home Order issued by the Province of Ontario and what it means for local residents.
See: What's new in the updated set of COVID-19 guidelines
The Town of Saugeen Shores Municipal Office will remain closed to the public but services will continue.
“Everyone must stay home as much as possible throughout this provincial order,” said Mayor Luke Charbonneau in the Town's release. "We expect residents to wear masks in public settings and to avoid outdoor gatherings of more than five. The new, emergency orders are necessary to protect our healthcare system," Charbonneau added.
Municipal facilities will not be open to the public during the order including Centennial Pool, the Plex, and the Coliseum. Municipal parks and trails remain open for use, including the dog park and waterfront, provided the required two metre social distancing is maintained.
"Residents are reminded face coverings are a provincial requirement when two metre distancing may be difficult to maintain in an outdoor setting," read the release.
Curbside waste collection will continue as usual and the landfill will remain open and will be accepting debit-tap only.
Saugeen Shore Police Chief Kevin Zettel said fines will be issued to those who are not following the provincial order, reminding residents that the new rules are the law. "Residents need to stay home, unless the trip is essential, in order to protect our healthcare system and our healthcare workers," said Zettel.
A January 15 media release from the Ontario Provincial Police said officers will be enforcing the Stay at Home Order within their jurisdiction under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act as well as the Reopening Ontario Act "by focussing on non-compliance in businesses and restaurants, complaints from the public and outdoor gatherings of more than five (5) people."
Fines are $750 for failing to comply with an order and $1,000 for preventing others (including individuals, employees or other workers) from following an order. Maximum fines for individuals are up to $100,000 and $10 million for a corporation. Failure to follow the rules can result in prosecution or jail time.
In the absence of a complaint or other grounds, offers will not arbitrarily stop an individual or a vehicle or enter a dwelling for the singular purpose of checking compliance, said the release. Individuals are not expected to provide proof of essential work. Officers can ask an individual to identify themselves if they have reasonable grounds to believe the individual is violating an Act.
