Clarington mayor has hit out at people who still are not taking the spectre of Covid-19 seriously enough.
“The health and safety of our residents is our number one priority. As we enter week three of the crisis, we cannot let our guard down. We continue to see residents ignoring physical distancing. This is no longer an ask—you must comply with physical distancing; it’s the only way to flatten the curve and stop this virus in its tracks,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster.
Meanwhile, the Municipality of Clarington has declared a local State of Emergency to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
It said its message to residents is to stay home, maintain physical distancing, do your part to protect your family, friends, neighbours and the community.
Along with the local emergency declaration, Clarington is extending the closure of its buildings and facilities indefinitely, said a municipal news release.
Clarington’s declaration comes just days after the province extended its emergency declaration on March 30. In that declaration, Ontario enacted several emergency measures closing all non-essential workplaces, prohibiting social gatherings of more than five people, and closing all outdoor recreational amenities, sports fields and playgrounds.
Fines start at $750
Clarington is working with Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) on enforcement. People caught violating any emergency measure could face fines ranging from $750 to $100,000 depending on the severity of the infraction. Residents can report violations to DRPS at www.drps.ca under Online Services – Community Concerns or by calling 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5802.
“We are working alongside the Region and the Province to protect our community. The decision to declare a local emergency was not made lightly. Clarington continues to follow public health guidelines,” said Clarington Fire Chief Gord Weir.
Invisible enemy
“The Covid-19 pandemic is a global emergency. We are facing an invisible enemy. If we don’t practise physical distancing, we are risking an increase in Covid-19 cases among our residents and prolonging this crisis. We are in this together, and if we make the right choices, we’ll get through it together,” added Mayor Foster.
He did not elaborate as to whether there were Covid-19 cases in Clarington.
Oshawa extends closures
Oshawa has extended until further notice the closure to the public of city facilities and outdoor amenities.
“This is a challenging and unprecedented time that is calling for extraordinary measures,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “Each of us has a role to play to save lives in our community. Stay home when you can; when you are out, practice physical distancing – help us stop the spread.”
City facility closures to the public until further notice include:
- City community and recreation facilities
- City Hall
- Consolidated Operations Depot
- Oshawa Animal Services
- Oshawa Fire Halls
- Oshawa Executive Airport Terminal building
Outdoor amenities closed until further notice include:
- Playgrounds
- Sports fields and ball diamonds
- Courts (including Pickle Ball, Tennis and Basketball courts)
- Skate parks
- Park washroom facilities
- Harmony Valley off-leash dog park
- Lakeview Park Beach area
- Community gardens
Community members are welcome to use Oshawa’s open park spaces and trails for walkthrough access however, we remind you to adhere to orders from the Ontario Government, including limiting gatherings of more than five people and practicing physical distancing, said a city announcement.
The city is also extending the following:
- An increase to the four-bag limit to six bags for garbage collection and waiving the requirement for garbage bag tags until further notice. Please note that we encourage residents to continue to practice waste reduction by utilizing their blue boxes and green bins.
- Business, taxi and animal licences due to expire at the end of March and April have been extended to May 31 to allow individuals and businesses more time to submit and process these applications.
- In the downtown, parking continues to be free until further notice at all metered on-street locations and at all municipal parking lots (with the exception of lots 16 and 19, which are monthly permit parking lots). Time limits for parking still apply.
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