Municipal officials say the recently implemented Provincial COVID-19 legislation will be enforced in Chatham-Kent.
“On April 8, the Ontario Government issued a Province Wide Stay at Home Order in addition to the emergency brake shutdown that came into effect April 3,” Municipal officials said in a media release on Thursday, April 15, 2021.
“These Orders were enacted as a result of the increasing positive cases of COVID-19 throughout the Province of Ontario and pressures placed on the health care system. These orders require that non-essential retail stores close their facility to in person shopping, while allowing curbside orders and delivery to continue, and prohibit indoor dining at restaurants while allowing take out and delivery to continue and keep people safe.”
Municipal officials added: “The municipality appreciates and understands the toll that the lockdowns are having on small businesses. However, municipalities are required to enforce the Provincial Orders. Since the latest Orders were issued, Municipal By-law Enforcement Officers and the Chatham-Kent Police Service have been conducting random audits and monitoring the community.”
The Municipality has issued one fine for a gathering during the current lock down, 35 inspections of business have taken place and seven educational warnings issued pertaining to the changes of the current shutdown from the previous, Municipal officials say.
In addition, Chatham-Kent residents who have concerns about non-essential businesses or social gatherings can continue to report their concerns via phone or email, C-K officials added.
To report a concern, individuals can call 519-360-1998, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or email Covid19enforcement@chatham-kent.ca.
“The Municipality is aware of a planned event encouraging local businesses to open their doors in defiance of these Provincial Orders,” Municipal officials said in a press release.
“The Chatham-Kent Police Service, Public Health Unit and By-Law Enforcement are actively monitoring this event as it unfolds and will conduct inspections of the businesses associated with the event and charges will be laid, if warranted.”
Under the Reopening Ontario Act, a violation of the Provincial COVID-19 regulations may result in a minimum fine of $880 for patrons who attend a place of business required to be closed.
For businesses that remain open in contravention of the Provincial regulations, fines can be up to $100,000 for individuals and up to $10,000,000 for corporations, Municipal officials say.
The Act also allows for imprisonment of not more than 1 year for business owners who remain open in contravention of the Provincial regulations.
“The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has been able to maintain case numbers lower than Provincial and National averages due to the cooperation of our residents and businesses,” Municipal officials say.
“As more and more residents are vaccinated and the social distancing protocols maintained there is hope that restrictions will soon be eased and we can soon return to re-openings. This is the time to keep our guard up and do everything we can to avoid seeing increased daily numbers of cases being seen across Ontario.”
Business owners are encouraged to contact Chatham-Kent Economic Development at 519-360-1998 or by dialing 311 for information about Provincial and Federal small business support programs.
Economic Development has also set up a dedicated webpage for COVID Business Supports: COVID Business Information.
In addition, further details regarding the Government of Ontario’s declaration of emergency and the province wide stay-at-home order to interrupt transmission of COVID-19covid 19 can be found, here.
