Ford government puts further limits on social gatherings for entire province
Source: Chris Halliday, Orangeville Banner
The Doug Ford government is placing further restrictions on “unmonitored” social gatherings as Ontario COVID-19 cases surge into what could be a second wave.
Days after restricting indoor and outdoor social gatherings in regions such as Toronto, Ottawa and Peel, the provincial government extended the order to include all of Ontario on Saturday (Sept. 19).
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Ontario came in above 400 on both Friday and Saturday. The new gathering restrictions comes into effect immediately.
“Clearly, the numbers are heading in the wrong direction. That’s why we’re taking decisive action to lower the size of unmonitored private social gatherings in every region of Ontario,” said Premier Doug Ford.“We’ve seen an alarming growth in the number of COVID-19 cases in the province,” he added. “We need everyone to follow the public health rules in order to prevent another provincewide lockdown and protect all our citizens, especially the elderly and the vulnerable.”
The new limit on the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored private social gathering across the province is:
• 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50); or
• 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100).
Provincial officials note indoor and outdoor events and gatherings cannot be merged together. Gatherings of 35 to 25 outdoors and 10 indoors — are not permitted.
Unmonitored and private social gatherings include functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, barbecues or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas.
The new limits will not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres, banquet halls, gyms, places of worship, recreational sporting or performing art events.
Existing rules, including public health and workplace safety measures for these businesses and facilities, continue to be in effect.
“This action is based on the increasing case counts that we are seeing,” said Health Minister Christine Elliott. “We will never hesitate to take further action to protect the health and well-being of all Ontarians.”
The Ford government is taking some heat following the announcement. NDP Deputy Leader Sara Singh says the province, which says wasn’t prepared for this spike in cases when it should have been, is now caught in crisis chasing mode.
First it was long-term care home, Singh said, and then it was migrant workers. Now, “the schools are scrambling,” she said.
“Ford is correcting an announcement he made just a couple days ago. It’s still inconsistent, and doesn’t go far enough. In addition to a provincewide rollback in social gathering limits we need to see a province wide rollback on class sizes,” Singh stated.
“To stop this second wave from getting worse, we need a 15-student cap on class sizes. We need a massive ramp up of testing through public health units, which have said they need more funding and more staff.”
The province is now planning to amend its Reopening Ontario Act to support better compliance with public health guidelines. If passed, changes would establish:
• A new offence regarding hosting or organizing a gathering in residential premises or other prescribed premises that exceeds limits under an order.
• A minimum fine of $10,000 for organizers of these gatherings.
• Authority for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to prescribe additional types of premises for the purpose of the new offence.
• Authority for a police officer, special constable or First Nations constable to order the temporary closure of a premises where there are reasonable grounds to believe that any gathering exceeding the number of people allowed is taking place and require individuals to leave the premises.
“We are making it easier for communities to keep people safe through a broad array of tools and deterrents including stiffer penalties for organizing social gatherings at private residences that violate the applicable size restrictions,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.
“Today’s expansion of gathering restrictions across the province shows that we remain agile in our response to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Ontario.”
For more information about COVID-19 case numbers, visit wdgpublichealth.ca,& peelregion.ca/coronavirus/ontario.ca. Information about the Dufferin County response can be found at dufferincounty.ca/covid-19.