The City of Brampton is enforcing physical distancing by handing out fines up to $100,000 to those who aren’t practicing the precaution.

Mayor Patrick Brown signed the city’s COVID-19 Emergency Measures bylaw on Tuesday, which prohibits certain activities and regulates physical distancing to help contain the spread of coronavirus in the community.

Anyone not adhering to the physical distancing regulation can be fined between $500 and $100,000 for each offence.

“The health and safety of our residents is always a priority at the City of Brampton, but especially now. We must all understand the seriousness of COVID-19 and work together to minimize its spread,” the mayor said in a release.

“The City will continue to enact any measures necessary to keep our community safe. I ask all residents to adhere to the Brampton COVID-19 Emergency Measures bylaw, and maintain physical distancing at all times.”

​At a COVID-19 Tele Town Hall with 15,708 participants on March 25, 76% indicated via poll that they support City staff enforcing fines for those not maintaining physical distancing.

The new by-law aligns with those expressed supports, and also encompasses some new additional municipal regulations, including:

Prohibiting people from maintaining less than a 2 metre distance from one another on any public property (other than people they live with);

Prohibiting businesses to permit people to be seated or to be standing less than 2.0 metres apart whether inside or outside the business (other than people they live with);

Prohibiting people from using any of the following City property: playgrounds and other structures in parks; leash-free dog parks; picnic shelters; outdoor sports facilities and outdoor fitness equipment, including sports fields, basketball and tennis courts; recreation centres and surrounding lands; and parking lots.

Since March 26, all parks and playgrounds in Brampton — more than 500 — are closed to the public until further notice.

Those who wish to report a non-compliant business, the use of City-owned facilities that are closed (other than essential services) or gatherings of more than five people, are asked to call 311. A bylaw enforcement officer and/or security personnel will investigate the complaint to ensure compliance and may lay charges when appropriate.

If residents wish to report a non-compliant food establishment such as a bar or restaurant, they can contact Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700.