Kawartha Lakes police charged three people in Lindsay on Sunday afternoon (January 10) under the Reopening Ontario Act for contravening public health limits on social gatherings.
On Sunday at 1:17 p.m., police responded to a complaint about multiple people attending a Lindsay residence who did not live there and were not abiding by the COVID-19 safety regulations.
Officers attended and located multiple individuals inside who did not reside at the residence.
Under Ontario’s province-wide shutdown, which remains in effect until at least January 23rd, no indoor social gatherings are allowed except with members of the same household.
Three people were issued provincial offence notices under section 10(1)(a) of the Reopening Ontario Act, which carries a set fine of $880.
The Kawartha Lakes Police Service is strongly advising members of the public to educate themselves on current public health directives and COVID-19 enforcement measures, including those related to illegal gathers and associated fines.
Cases of COVID-19 in Kawartha Lakes have continued to increase over the past few weeks, with 39 active cases of COVID-19 in Kawartha Lakes.
On Friday (January 8), the acting medical officer of health for the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit urged people to follow public health recommendations, including not socializing with people outside of your household.
“Our actions affect other people,” said Dr. Ian Gemmill. “If you choose to get together with friends and you get the virus, you could just experience mild symptoms and recover. You could also spread the virus to someone else who is older and more vulnerable, and they may not be so lucky.”
