Chatham-Kent police, bylaw officers to crack down on COVID-19 rule-breakers

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Chatham-Kent police and municipal bylaw enforcement officers will step up investigations and enforcement of COVID-19 safety measures when Ontario’s second state of emergency begins Thursday.

The province has given them more enforcement tools to use when people breach public-health restrictions, the municipality said in a news release Wednesday.

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Chatham-Kent residents with concerns about violations of provincial orders can call 311 or email covid19enforcement@chatham-kent.ca.

Municipal centres will temporarily close in Blenheim, Ridgetown, Tilbury and Wallaceburg. Municipal information desks remain closed in Bothwell, Thamesville and Wheatley.

The Chatham civic centre, the Service Ontario office in Chatham on Grand Avenue and the municipal/Service Ontario office in Dresden will be open by appointment only for essential services. People should call 311 or email ck311@chatham-kent.ca before visiting to ensure the service they need is essential.

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All visitors must complete a screening assessment before entering.

Services provided in Chatham by the community human services divisions at the health and family services building on Grand Avenue and the clinic services building on King Street West will continue.

All municipal facilities closed in December because of the provincewide shutdown remain closed.

Ontario’s new emergency restrictions include a stay-at-home order. Exceptions are permitted for some activities, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, using health-care services, exercising and doing work that can’t be done remotely.

Outdoor gatherings are limited to five people.

People must wear a mask or face covering indoors at businesses or organizations. Masks and face coverings are also recommended outdoors when people can’t be more than two metres apart.

Non-essential retail stores can’t open before 7 a.m. or close later than 8 p.m. These restricted hours of operation don’t apply to stores that primarily sell food, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants offering takeout or delivery.

“The municipality urges all Chatham-Kent residents to closely follow these public-health restrictions to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and avoid an overwhelming of the already strained health system,” the municipal release said.