NEW OPP COVID-19 Enforcement Approach
Press Release
The OPP will continue to provide public safety services to the communities we serve and support the efforts of federal, provincial and local health authorities by asking Ontarians voluntarily comply with the new emergency orders to limit transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
OPP officers will focus on non-compliance in businesses and restaurants, complaints from the public and unlawful public gatherings to enforce the stay at home order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA), and the Reopening Ontario Act. Officers can disperse and ticket individuals found to be non-compliant resulting in a $750 fine.
Consistent with the new emergency orders OPP officers will not arbitrarily stop an individual or a vehicle, or enter a dwelling for the singular purpose of checking compliance with the order. Individuals are not expected to provide proof of essential work. Officers who believe an individual may be participating in a gathering that is prohibited may require the individual to provide information to determine whether or not they are in compliance.
The new emergency orders include:
- Outdoor events/gatherings are now prohibited unless all parties are from the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone or is a caregiver for any member of the household
- All retail stores permitted to be open must limit the number of persons to 25 per cent capacity of the store.
- The following outdoor recreational sports facilities and multi-use fields shall be closed including:
- Baseball diamonds
- Soccer fields
- Frisbee golf locations
- Tennis, platform tennis, table tennis, pickleball courts
- Basketball courts
- BMX parks and Skate parks
- All portions of park and recreation areas with outdoor fitness equipment
- All picnic sites and picnic tables in park and recreation areas
- Off-leash dog areas or park benches may be open and used if physical distancing is maintained
- A playground specifically designed to enable children to play may be open and used
More information about the restrictions by the Ontario government’s state of emergency and updated enforcement provisions of the EMCPA is online.
For all non-emergency police matters, including allegations of non-compliance, contact your municipal by-law office (Orillia 705-325-2313), the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122, or contact your local detachment at 705 326-3536. Please reserve 911 for life-threatening emergencies.
