The most important thing to know is that you should stay home as much as possible. If you must go out, you need to practice physical distancing and maintain two metres or six feet between yourself and others at all times, no matter where you are.

Fines for not abiding by COVID-19 closures and provincial distancing rules — orders under the Emergency Measures Protection Act — can be $750 per person. Parks, trails, stairs and playgrounds are being monitored by bylaw officers.

In addition, city council has passed a new bylaw that allows muncipal law enforcement to issue $500 fines for those who don’t maintain a two-metre distance from others and congregate in groups of more than five in public spaces.

The measures add another layer of enforcement to Ontario’s emergency orders during the public health crisis but through administrative penalties rather than provincial offences sanctions.