COVID-19 Lockdown – Weekend Enforcement Results in Dozens of Tickets for Private Gatherings
Mississauga has been in the Grey-Lockdown Level of the Government of Ontario’s Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework since Monday, November 23. Since that time, the City has issued 126 charges and 90 notices of contravention (NOCs).
Specifically, this last weekend saw 37 tickets and seven NOCs. Four tickets were issued to non-essential businesses and the remaining 33 tickets were issued to individuals at private gatherings at four separate locations.
“Now that we are three weeks into the lockdown, businesses and residents should be well aware of the restrictions in place to protect the health and safety of our community,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Our enforcement staff are working to enforce these measure, to help keep people safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. I know, as the holidays approach, it is tempting to gather with family and friends but I want to remind you that these actions will be met with a fine or even worse, the spread of COVID-19 to your family and friends.”
As part of the Grey-Lockdown Level restrictions, no indoor organized events or private gatherings (except with members of the same household) may take place, indoor and outdoor restaurant service is prohibited and non-essential retail is permitted to be open for curbside pickup or delivery only. Failure to comply with these orders may result in a set fine (ticket) of $750. If the charge is laid by issuing a summons, a failure to comply with an emergency order could result in a fine up to $100,000 and up to one year imprisonment for an individual, $500,000 for a director or officer of a corporation or $10,000,000 for a corporation upon conviction.
“Since moving into Lockdown Level, our Enforcement Division has seen a significant increase in both public complaints and violations. This last weekend, violations were observed in various sectors including fitness, restaurants and cafes and retail stores, but the majority of tickets issued this weekend were for private gatherings,” said Sam Rogers, Director of Enforcement. “The vast majority of businesses and residents are complying but there are no exceptions to the rules. We will continue to enforce and issue tickets to those who violate the restrictions as they put the health and safety of all residents at risk.”
For information on how to protect yourself and others during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus.
For information about the City’s response to COVID-19:
- Visit mississauga.ca/covid
- Follow the City of Mississauga on Twitter and Facebook
- Watch Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s weekly COVID-19 press conference
- Contact 311 (905-615-4311)