TIMMINS -- With COVID-19 cases continuing to spike – 32 cases were reported Wednesday alone – the Timmins Police Service is warning residents it will be enforcing COVID-19 restrictions this May long weekend.
"In light of the most recent data concerning COVID-19 positivity rates, the Timmins Police Service is issuing a public advisory aimed at inspiring full and unwavering compliance with the provincial protocols," police said in a news release Thursday.
"With the Victoria Day weekend on the horizon, proper warning is issued in that any person or group of persons who are found to be in violation of the current COVID protocols will be served with a provincial offence notice outlining their offence as described under the EMCPA."
The notices carry a fine of $880, police said.
Police will respond both to complaints they receive and anything they see during patrols, the release said.
"This should serve as fair warning that the enforcement stance undertaken by the Timmins Police Service is firm, formal, and direct by necessity moving towards the holiday weekend," police said.
"This response should be expected as the Timmins police now finds it necessary to lay formal charges for any offence that is determined to be an overt and intentional violation of the applicable statute."
“Working in consultation and collaboration with the Porcupine Health Unit, the Timmins police will continue to maintain a firm and formal approach when confronting such violations," Timmins Police Chief John Gauthier said in the release.
"Let there be no room for doubt that these measures are deemed necessary and appropriate in order to better protect citizens from their own lack of good judgment and the indulgence in blatantly unsafe behaviours.”
