COVID-19 Lockdown – Week 1 Enforcement Includes Thousands of Inspections

Mississauga, as part of Peel Region, has been in the Grey-Lockdown zone of the Government of Ontario’s Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework for one week.

In that week, there have been enhancements as to how the City’s Enforcement Division has approached the new regulations.

“We launched an ambitious proactive inspection plan designed to get ahead of violations and correct behaviours quickly and purposefully,” said Sam Rogers, Director of Enforcement for the City of Mississauga. “Enforcement Officers were re-assigned from their regular duties to double our ‘boots on the ground’ and conduct thousands of inspections.”

Rogers added that public complaints have tripled in the past week and 4,500 inspections were conducted in the first seven days of the lockdown which resulted in 57 charges and 51 notices of contravention.

“Violations were observed across all sectors including house parties, gyms, retail stores, car dealerships, pet retail, salons, furniture stores, restaurants and electronics stores,” noted Rogers.  “The vast majority of people and businesses are complying but there are some out there who are intentionally breaking the rules and putting lives at risk.”

“I want to thank the vast majority of residents and businesses who are complying with the lockdown restrictions,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “These enhanced enforcement measures will allow us to better identify those who are not in compliance with the regulations and penalize those who flagrantly flout the rules. Everyone has a part to play in limiting the spread of this virus.”

Business owners and residents are being asked to take the regulations outlined by the province seriously.

“Lockdown can’t end until we change our behaviour,” added Rogers. “To ensure this mindset shift happens, we will be strictly enforcing the lockdown regulations. If you are intentionally violating the rules, we will be knocking on your door.”

Peel Region will remain in the Grey-Lockdown level for a minimum of 28 days or two COVID-19 incubation periods. The Ontario government will reassess after that period to determine if each region will stay where they are or be moved to a different level.

For information on health and safety recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus.

For information about the City’s response to COVID-19:

• Visit mississauga.ca/covid
• Follow @CityMississauga on Twitter and Facebook
• Watch Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s weekly COVID-19 press conference
• Contact 311 (905-615-4311)

Tags

• COVID-19
• Emergency and Preparedness
• Enforcement and Fines