Sault Police, while on patrol Thursday evening (New Year’s Eve) and the wee hours of Friday (New Year’s Day) will be prepared to act if they find indoor gatherings which violate current COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
The 14-day lockdown for northern Ontario (28 days for southern Ontario), imposed by the province Dec. 26, restricts social gatherings and organized indoor events (such as New Year’s Eve celebrations) to people who live in the same home and to one other person from outside that household who lives alone.
“Each call for service, including a COVID related call, is handled on a case-by-case basis. But make no mistake, our officers will lay charges and issue fines if people are found to be violating provincial regulations,” stated Hugh Stevenson, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service chief, in an email to SooToday Thursday.
“Locally, two people have been issued provincial offence notices which carry a fine of $880,” wrote Lincoln Louttit, Sault Police spokesperson, also replying by email.
“Officers will be on patrol and will respond to calls for service on a priority basis. The (COVID-19) infection rate locally has been low and we are all fortunate for that," Louttit also said. "For the most part people in our community have followed the advice of Algoma Public Health and other public health agencies and their commitment has helped to keep this community safe."
A brief review of restrictions and fines for violating the current COVID-19 lockdown rules can be found here.
