Emergency Measures By-law to help protect the health and safety of residents. City Council directed staff to explore enhanced by-law enforcement at a Special Meeting of Council on March 25, 2020.
The new by-law prohibits certain activities and regulates physical distancing to help contain the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Individuals not adhering to physical distancing regulation can be fined a minimum of $500 and maximum of up to $100,000 for each offence.
* Prohibiting people from maintaining less than a 2.0 metre distance from one another on any public property (other than people they live with);
Municipal regulations under the by-law include:
* Prohibiting businesses to permit people to be seated or to be standing less than 2.0 meters apart whether inside or outside the business (other than people they live with);
* Prohibiting people from using any of the following City property:
* playgrounds and other structures in parks.
*leash-free dog parks.
* picnic shelters.
* outdoor sports facilities and outdoor fitness equipment, including sports fields, basketball and tennis courts.
* recreation centres and surrounding lands; and
* parking lots.
* At a COVID-19 Tele Town Hall with 15,708 participants on March 25, 2020, 76 per cent indicated via poll that they support City staff enforcing fines for those not maintaining physical distancing.
The City is committed to keeping Brampton residents informed and will continue to provide updates on the City’s response to COVID-19 as they become available. For more information on the above decisions and the City’s efforts to support the community in response to COVID-19, visit www.brampton.ca/COVID19 or follow @CityBrampton on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
* On March 27, 2020 the Province of Ontario advised municipalities that it had enacted legislation to empower the City’s municipal law enforcement officers to enforce the regulations passed by the Province under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
* As of March 26, all 500+ parks and playgrounds in Brampton are closed to the public until further notice.
* Recently, legislation was passed designating essential versus non-essential business in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.
* If residents wish to report a non-compliant business, the use of City-owned facilities that are closed (other than essential services) or gatherings of more than five people, they are asked to call 311. A by-law enforcement officer and/or security personnel will investigate the complaint to ensure compliance and may lay charges when appropriate.
* If residents wish to report a non-compliant food establishment such as a bar or restaurant, they are to report to Peel Public Health at 905.799.7700.
“The health and safety of our residents is always a priority at the City of Brampton, but especially now. We must all understand the seriousness of COVID-19 and work together to minimize its spread. The
Mayor Patrick Brown said we will continue to enact any measures necessary to keep our community safe. I ask all residents to adhere to the Brampton COVID-19 Emergency Measures By-law and maintain physical distancing at all times.”
“Through enforcement, the Brampton COVID-19 Emergency Measures By-law will allow staff to promote physical distancing across our community in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. The City will continue to take any steps necessary to protect the health and safety of staff and residents.” Said David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton
