Mayor Cam Guthrie has had enough with people breaking the rules about physical distancing.
The mayor took to social media Tuesday to warn people that police and bylaw officers will charge people and businesses not sticking to the rules.
“I’m disappointed to hear that some people still aren’t taking these public health orders seriously,” he said. “To those individuals let me be absolutely clear: enough is enough.”
Guthrie said police and bylaw officers are responding to public complaints and have the authority to issue tickets and fines for people breaking the rules and won’t hesitate to do so.
“Fines range from $750 per person for attending a social gathering of five or more people, playing sports on a closed field or failing to identify yourself to an enforcement officer, up to $1,000 for obstructing an enforcement officer,” he said.
Bylaw staff can also issue a summons for failing to comply with an emergency order that carries much heavier fines, up to $100,000 for an individual and $10 million for a corporation.
The mayor reiterated the guidelines established by Public Health:
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Non-essential businesses must close.
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Only go out for essential items like groceries or medications.
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Don’t gather in groups in parks or on trails.
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Stay at least two metres apart from anyone that you don’t live with.
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If you don’t absolutely need to leave your home, stay home.
“By now you all know how critically important it is to follow the rules. It is literally a matter of life and death,” Guthrie wrote.
