City Bylaw Enforcement, Kingston Police, and Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox and Addington Public Health thanked residents for upholding public health protocols on St. Patrick’s Day in a t statement released March 18.
Kingston Police said residents across the City adhered to the March 4 Section 22 Class Order that limits gatherings of more than five individuals who don’t live together.
Bylaw Enforcement attended six calls throughout Wednesday night, according to the statement, issuing two Part I Summons under the Section 22 order and one istrative Monetary Penalty for amplified noise on March 17.
“This is an extremely positive outcome for the community, and we want to thank residents for their continued cooperation and for avoiding illegal gatherings,” Kyle Compeau, manager of licensing and enforcement for the City of Kingston, said in the statement.
“I want to emphasize that our team was actively on the lookout for high-risk gatherings and nuisance behaviours and was prepared to issue fines or charges if necessary. In most instances, gatherings were within the permitted limits.”
Consistent with the numbers from St. Patrick’s Day 2020, no fines were issued on March 17; however, this contrasts the total of 23 Part Court I Summonses issued in 2019.
The statement detailed that 13 calls were attended by the Kingston Police on the night of March 17 but didn’t result in any charges under the Reopening Ontario Act, Health Protection and Promotion Act Section 22 Order.
The statement didn’t include comments on the 140-person gathering that happened on March 12, before the class order took effect.
“On behalf of the Kingston Police I would like to thank our community for respecting the restrictions put in place to keep our community safe,” Kingston Police Chief Antje McNeely said in the statement.
“Our officers responded to a total of 13 calls for service and laid five charges under the Liquor Licence Act and one under the Highway Traffic Act. With the extension of the Section 22 Order in place we will continue to work collaboratively with our partners in taking a proactive and consistent enforcement approach to keep COVID-19 infection rates low throughout our community.”
KFL&A Public Health has revised and extended the Section 22 Order, lifting restrictions on businesses following public health measures and continuing to prohibit gatherings of more than five people.
Dr. Kieran Moore, medical officer of health at KFL&A Public Health, addressed the Class Order extension, stating action must be taken now to stop the surge in COVID-19 cases.
“It is reassuring to hear that there were less enforcement issues this St Paddy’s day, but we must continue to adhere to public health measures. I am urging everyone to stay home as much as possible, stay local, do not gather with those outside of your household, screen for symptoms practice physical distancing, and wear your face covering to stay safe,” Moore said.
The AMS didn’t respond to a request for comment in time for publication.
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