City of Hamilton to issue $500 fines to people not following physical distancing

Hamilton’s Mayor Fred Eisenberger said that, while most people are doing their part and following the physical distancing guidelines during COVID-19, there will be fines of $500 for those who do not comply with the new rules. 

This past weekend saw bylaw and police officers give out a number of warnings and tickets to people continuing to violate orders by visiting restricted areas such as waterfalls, conservation areas, and parks. 

There were 19 tickets given out on Saturday and a further 13 tickets on Sunday that were related to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. 

If you have to go out for essentials, keep a distance of at least 2 metres or 6 feet away from others to decrease the risk of spreading COVID-19. #PhysicalDistancing is one of our best ways to #FlattenTheCurve in Hamilton. https://t.co/UPYQzhrNKr #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/MYFJLKs8lG

— City of Hamilton (@cityofhamilton) April 7, 2020

Residents were going as far as removing barricades at the escarpment stairs and walking around golf courses that have been closed since mid-March. 

Being caught on the escarpment stairs could land individuals with a $750 fine. Removing barricades could see people with a criminal charge of mischief.

Mayor Eisenberger said that there will be stricter punishments for people not following the new physical distancing rules. Councillors are planning to implement a $500 fine for people in Hamilton caught not following the current rules involving keeping physical distance between themselves and others.

Eisenberger has also expressed that he understands that these current restrictions are unusual and frustrating, but that city officials need the public to be patient under these unprecedented circumstances. 

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• bylaw
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• Fred Eisenberger
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• Health
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• physical distancing
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• Waterfall