The Chatham-Kent Police Service has provided details about their response to the second state of emergency declared by the Province of Ontario.
Police officials say the Ontario Government made the emergecny declaration under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) in response to rising COVID-19 cases across the Province, effective January 14, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.
Orders made under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 will remain in effect with the addition of the new Stay-at-Home Order introduced on Thursday, police officials say.
To learn more about the Order, click here.
These restrictions are anticipated to be in place until at least Thursday, February 11, 2021, police officials say.
“Community safety has been and remains our number one priority throughout this pandemic,” stated Chief Gary Conn, in a media release.
“Our Police Service is committed to working with community partners in balancing overall public safety and health. Officers will continue to engage and educate the citizens of our community in an effort to seek compliance with enforcement being used, as the last resort.”
Police officials added officers will not be randomly stopping vehicles or people walking, for the sole purpose of checking for compliance with the Stay-at-Home Order.
“We will continue to be proactive in an effort to educate citizens if an offence is observed to ensure compliance,” police officials said in a press release.
“We will also triage complaints with Municipal By-Law officers. Complaints and concerns regarding violations should be reported by calling 311 or via email COVID19Enforcement@chatham-kent.ca.”
Police officials added: “Today, we are asking the citizens of Chatham-Kent for their cooperation and to use a common-sense approach as we navigate these challenging times. Please limit your trips outside the home, wear a mask, social distance and practice good hand hygiene. Now more than ever, we need to rally together as a community for the health and safety of everyone here in Chatham-Kent.”
More details about the emergency declaration and stay-at-home order can be read, here.
