Enforcement Supports
Under the provincial emergency, the following enhanced enforcement authorities will be in place:
All provincial offences officers, including police officers, will have the authority to disperse crowds indoors as well as outdoors. For example, when a group of more than five people who are not from the same household are gathering outdoors, they can be required to leave and the premise may be closed.
The Town's By-law Services Division will continue to work collaboratively with all enforcement personnel, including the OPP and our Health Unit Inspectors, on appropriate enforcement of the Provincial Orders, including a combination of proactive and reactive patrols.
| Complaint/Inquiry | Referral/Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Complaint about non-essential business operating, including construction |
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| Can my business operate? |
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| Complaint about social gathering on private property | Contact the OPP non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122 |
| Complaint about social gathering on public property |
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| Construction workers not wearing masks and/or not maintaining physical distancing |
|
| Complaint about business not following sector specific Health and Safety rules/guidelines (e.g., cleaning requirements) | Contact the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
|
| Complaint about someone not following Stay-at-Home Orders |
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| Complaint about person inside business not wearing a mask / face covering |
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The Stay at Home Order requires individuals to remain in their place of residence at all times unless leaving their place of residence for necessary purposes. One of which includes Health, safety and legal purposes.
At this point in time, the Town has no intention of closing any of the parks, trails and/or other outdoor recreational amenities but continue to monitor our website and follow the Stay-at-Home Orders, only leaving your home when necessary.
As outlined in the Stay at Home Order, exercising is permitted including:
- walking or moving around outdoors using an assistive mobility device
- using an outdoor recreational amenity that is permitted to be open under the Stage 1 Order Outdoor Recreational Amenities
For example, playgrounds are permitted to remain open if they are in compliance with the regulations identified below:
(a) any person who enters or uses the amenity maintains a physical distance of at least two metres from any other person who is using the amenity;
(b) team sports are not practised or played within the amenity;
(c) other sports or games that are likely to result in individuals coming within two metres of each other are not practised or played within the amenity; and
(d) any locker rooms, change rooms, showers and clubhouses remain closed, except to the extent they provide access to equipment storage, a washroom or a portion of the amenity that is used to provide first aid.
The Stay at Home Order requires individuals to remain in their place of residence at all times unless leaving their place of residence for necessary purposes. One of which includes Health, safety and legal purposes.
At this point in time, the Town has no intention of closing any of the parks, trails and/or other outdoor recreational amenities but continue to monitor our website and follow the Stay-at-Home Orders, only leaving your home when necessary.
As outlined in the Stay at Home Order, exercising is permitted including:
- walking or moving around outdoors using an assistive mobility device
- using an outdoor recreational amenity that is permitted to be open under the Stage 1 Order
For example, amenities like snowmobiling, cross country skiing, dogsledding, ice skating and snow shoe trails may open if,
(a) any person who enters or uses the amenity maintains a physical distance of at least two metres from any other person who is using the amenity;
(b) team sports are not practised or played within the amenity;
(c) other sports or games that are likely to result in individuals coming within two metres of each other are not practised or played within the amenity; and
(d) any locker rooms, change rooms, showers and clubhouses remain closed, except to the extent they provide access to equipment storage, a washroom or a portion of the amenity that is used to provide first aid.
While the government has not provided specific guidance on fishing, the Regulations do allow an individual to leave their home to exercise and obtain food. Ontarians need to use their best judgement to determine what is essential based on their own unique circumstances.
No, but all trips should be considered essential.
- The Province said the outdoor gathering limit of five is in recognition of the fact that some people live alone and may require the company or support of others for their mental and physical well-being.
- People gathering outside are expected to adhere to physical distancing measures and are being strongly urged to wear a mask.
As the Province is asking residents to stay home, trips to a cottage or secondary residence should be avoided, unless it is for an essential purpose like emergency maintenance.
The Stay at Home Order states that travelling to another residence is permitted only if:
- the individual intends to be at the residence for less than 24 hours and is attending for one of the purposes set out in this order; or
- the individual intends to reside at the residence for at least 14 days.
As outlined by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit: Effective Thursday January 14, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., the Province’s stay-at-home order requires everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes. In accordance with Ontario Regulation 82/20, short-term rentals and shared rental accommodations (such as hotels, motels, lodges, resorts etc.) are only to be provided for those who are in need of housing.
While exercise is considered essential under this order, it should be undertaken within your own community, avoiding the need for housing accommodations and preventing further transmission of COVID-19 between geographic areas.