Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/April 16, 2021 – Today, the Province announced that the Stay at Home Order will be in effect for a minimum of 6 weeks. In addition, enhanced restrictions will come into effect, beginning April 17, 2021. These enhanced restrictions underscore the severity of rising cases throughout the province, and the need for ongoing vigilance in order to stop the spread and end the pandemic.
As the number of COVID-19 cases in our region continue to remain high, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is asking residents to do everything they can to stop the spread. This means complying with provincial restrictions, and self-isolating if you have tested positive for COVID-19, are the close contact of someone who has tested positive, or have symptoms of the virus. Over the past several weeks, HPEPH has received increasing reports of individuals who are failing to comply with self-isolation orders. All residents are reminded that self-isolation is a legal requirement for these individuals in order to protect our community from potential exposure to COVID-19.
“Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, or those who have been identified as a close contact of someone who is at a greater risk of developing COVID-19, are legally required to remain in their home/on their property, avoid contact with others, and not allow any visitors within their home, for 14 days or longer,” says Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH. “It is important to understand that this requirement is not intended to penalize those who have tested positive, or have been exposed, but is necessary in order to stop the spread of the virus in our community and protect the most vulnerable. In the interest of community safety, we will take all necessary action to ensure individuals are self-isolating as directed.”
Self-isolation is a legal requirement for anyone who currently resides, or is present, in HPEC who:
- has been diagnosed with COVID-19,
- has the signs and symptoms of COVID-19,
- has been tested for COVID-19 and is awaiting the results of their test,
- has a reason to believe they have symptoms of COVID-19, or
- is a close contact of any of the above.
Individuals who fail to comply with the order may be charged a fine of up to $5,000 and/or may be required to abide by a court order issued by a judge from the Superior Court of Justice. To date, 4 court orders have been issued in HPEC for this reason.
HPEPH, as well as community enforcement partners, have the authority to enforce self-isolation requirements as well as other provincial restrictions. HPEPH continues to work closely with our community partners and partners in bylaw and police enforcement to keep our region safe.
To date the following tickets/charges have been issued in HPEC:
- 5 tickets for not complying with the Section 22 Self-isolation Order
- 7 tickets for not following regulations under the Reopening Ontario Act
- 2 for lack of screening of staff
- 2 for not spacing restaurant tables 2 metres apart
- 1 for not wearing adequate PPE when providing a service within 2 metres of an unmasked customer
- 1 for not recording client information
- 1 for a staff person not wearing a face covering/mask
- 1 for failure to comply with the Stay-at-Home Order
HPEPH is also in the process of filing obstruction charges against an individual who tested positive, and who was not honest about their activities during the time they were contagious.
“The team at HPEPH recognizes that most residents continue to make every effort to follow public health requirements and are making incredible sacrifices to keep our community safe. Please know these sacrifices are not in vain and your choices are helping keep people healthy and out of hospital,” says Dr. Oglaza. “To those who continue to violate restrictions, please do not diminish the efforts being made by your neighbours, family and friends. We recognize that our community is tired of the pandemic, however limiting close contact between individuals is the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 until vaccines are available to all. The sooner we can stop the spread, the sooner restrictions can be lifted.”
If you have a concern about non-compliance with self-isolation or other provincial public health restrictions, please submit it at hpePublicHealth.ca and it will be addressed as appropriate.
For more information about self-isolation requirements please visit hpepublichealth.ca/understanding-self-isolation.
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Media Contacts:
Emily Tubbs
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland
mhyland@hpeph.ca
