The OPP is ensuring they are prepared for whatever the pandemic might bring in the days ahead.
OPP Staff Sgt. Carolle Dionne, manager of media relations for the provincial force, said as of now, all holidays for OPP personnel have been nixed.
"To ensure we are operationally prepared to respond to the operational demands associated to COVID-19, vacation leave for OPP members has been suspended," Dionne said, noting requests in exceptional circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
"It is critical that the OPP maintains staffing levels that prioritize both officer and public safety and supports the OPP’s ability to maintain police operations province-wide, particularly during this time," Dionne told OrilliaMatters.
"The OPP’s focus remains on our people and our communities. Public safety is of paramount importance," noted Dionne. "Having the necessary resources in place ensures we can maintain the health and wellness of our members while keeping safe those in the communities we serve."
Enforcement could become a bigger issue, officials say, noting some young people don't seem to be getting the message about physical distancing, especially.
Of the nine new cases reported by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit on Thursday, five of them were in their 20s or 30s. Four of those were community-acquired, with one cause still under investigation.
The news doesn’t surprise officials from Barrie Police Service, as most of the calls they say they’ve received reporting large groups congregating across the city have been of groups within the 20-to-35 age bracket.
“We have received some inquiries with respect to that over the past couple of days,” said communications co-ordinator Peter Leon. “The calls come in, we respond, educate and move on accordingly.
"The majority have been under that age group," he added.
Leon said, so far, police have focused primarily on education when responding to these types of calls and no fines or charges have yet been laid.
Emergency orders now in place from the province to address the COVID-19 outbreak include the closure of non-essential businesses, prohibiting organized public events and social gatherings of more than five people and stopping price gouging on necessary goods such as disinfectant products.
Failing to comply with any of these emergency orders is an offence under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) and so is the failure to identify oneself accurately.
Failing to correctly identify oneself carries a fine of $750 or $1,000 for obstructing any person in exercising a power if a provincial offences officer issues a ticket. Failure to comply with an emergency order could also carry punishments of up to one-year imprisonment or a fine of up to $100,000 for an individual, $500,000 for a director of a corporation, or $10,000,000 for a corporation.
These penalties apply in addition to the penalties for breaching other emergency orders.
Leon said that on Wednesday, Barrie police responded to about six calls of people congregating in large groups.
“I think it shows how things are getting ramped up here a little bit. This is a serious thing,” said Leon. “Some people, from what we’re hearing and observing, aren’t taking it seriously.”
Ultimately, Leon says it comes down to the safety of the community.
“Even if you get a group of people together in a parking lot and they’re spaced out, there’s still that possibility of transmission to take place,” he said. “Bringing people together socially in open settings isn’t the answer.”
When asked what the most common reasons are for congregating in large groups despite the provincial emergency order being in place, Leon says Barrie police are finding people just aren’t up to date on the news.
“I think part of the problem is things are evolving so quickly. People aren’t necessarily aware of the changes that have been made,” said Leon.
However, it’s getting to a point where excuses are wearing thin.
“The situation is becoming more and more serious as each day passes,” said Leon. “The darkest days are yet to come.”
Central Region OPP representatives said they do not keep track of or report demographics of individuals they interact with when responding to calls.
“People are mostly adhering to the warnings,” said OPP Central Region media liaison Jason Folz. “When our people are dispatched, we haven’t had any charges yet, so that should tell you our public education piece is working.”
- With files from Dave Dawson
