Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter yesterday declared a local state of emergency for the City of Oshawa in response to health authorities indicating that the next 14 days are crucial to slowing the spread of Covid-19.
The city continues to work with Durham Regional Police Services on enforcement. Under the Ontario Government’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, failure to comply with an emergency order could carry punishments of up to one-year imprisonment or a fine of up to $100,000 for an individual.
With the statutory holiday weekend upon us, it is critical that we follow government orders to not gather in groups of more than five people and health authority guidelines to stay home as much as possible and keep a physical distance of 6 feet (2 metres) from others. Everyone has a role to play, Carter said in an issued statement.
“It is devastating to hear reports from police and municipal by-law officers that community members are ignoring the Ontario Government’s order not to gather in groups of more than five people. Declaring a state of emergency for Oshawa serves as a really clear signal that people need to stay home. We have taken proactive measures and closed our facilities and outdoor amenities and we’re relying on everyone in our community to do their part,” Carter said.
Only essential trips
“Every effort must be made by each of us to protect our families, friends and the community – only go outside for essential trips, avoid close contact and maintain physical distancing, don’t gather in groups, and continue to follow recommendations of provincial health officials,” said Fire Chief Derrick Clark, Oshawa’s Community Emergency Management Coordinator.
On Friday, March 13, Oshawa activated its Emergency Plan and City Council delegated authority to the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer for use in emergencies. These measures provide the city the ability to make key decisions to maintain business continuity to manage the Covid-19 pandemic. The city has established key objectives and protocols to keep critical services operating and providing service to the community. It continues to focus on business continuity and maintaining critical functions and services, the statement said.
Community members can report a gathering of more than five people or a non-compliant business on www.drps.ca under Online Services – Community Concerns or call the DRPS non-emergency line at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5802 and leave a message.
Oshawa Covid-19 Response Update
On April 1, Mayor Dan Carter and Regional Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri, Chair of the Development Services Committee, led a panel of city leaders to address the current impact of Covid-19, relief efforts underway and to begin discussing economic recovery efforts.
There needs to be a law passed to catch these people going out everyday spreading the virus, I watch on my balcony day after day the same people with no need to go out but spreading germs to everyone around!