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WATERLOO REGION - People gathering in groups of 50 or more will be charged, said Waterloo Regional Police Chief Bryan Larkin.

The state of emergency issued by Ontario Premier Doug Ford Tuesday morning allows police to charge anyone who gathers with others on the street and charge bars and restaurants that don't close. Restaurants are permitted to provide takeout food and offer delivery.

"The message of our officers on the ground is candid and direct. Disperse. We are in a state of emergency," Larkin said Tuesday morning as officers lined Ezra Avenue in anticipation of revellers gathering for the unsanctioned St. Patrick's Day party.

"You will be charged. We are taking a very hard tone, but we are very serious about the health of our community."

Mobile billboards in the Ezra area are reminding potential partygoers of the state of emergency and telling them not to attend.

"I want to be very clear. We will take enforcement action," he said.

Larkin said he and other emergency personnel are trying to ensure the hospitals are not overburdened with people needing health care when the system is already dealing with a crisis.

By mid-morning, there weren't any crowds gathering on Ezra. Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Waterloo Region's associate medical officer of health, thanked the would-be partiers for staying away.

"I thank those young people who are smart and responsible and are playing their part in helping our community to stay safe," she said Tuesday morning.

Wang said she was heartened by young people who had contacted public health to say they would not participate in the Ezra street party.

"Thank you for taking a stand," she said. "Now it's up to our citizens to protect our community."

Larkin said police have the "lawful authority" to remove people from Ezra but by mid-morning people appeared to be listening.

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"We do believe our community is heeding the message," he said.

Larkin said the Ezra street plan, which has been in place for more than a year, "was to shut down this thing anyhow."

"The mitigating factor in this is COVID and this is unchartered territory and people should be very concerned about their health," he said.

"Every citizen has a moral obligation to stop the spread and to flatten the curve."

Behind the scenes, Larkin said police have been talking about their lawful authorities and obligations to keep people safe during this unprecedented time.

"How do we use different pieces of legislation to clamp down on this and operate within the constitution," he said.

Early Tuesday, the chief spoke with officials with the Ministry of the Solicitor General and his officers who are planning the front-line action on Ezra.

Those not abiding by the ban will be given a summons to appear in provincial court before a justice of the peace, Larkin said.

lmonteiro@therecord.com

Twitter: @MonteiroRecord