State of emergency aims to contain coming case surge
For Regional Chair Jim Bradley and Niagara’s 12 mayors, the decision wasn’t whether they should declare a state of emergency. It was a question of when.
That turned out to be Friday morning as the Region and the municipalities jointly declared a Niagara-wide state of emergency. The move comes in anticipation of a surge of COVID-19 cases here in the coming weeks, Bradley said.
A joint statement said the decision “increases options to protect the health and safety of Niagara residents.”
The timing was no accident. “We considered declaring the emergency last week, but the mayors felt that we should wait until we saw the figures released by the province today and were closer to the religious holidays of Easter, Passover and Ramadan.”
Bradley said the mayors all had input into the decision and the wording of the public statement that followed.
Niagara-onthe-Lake declared a state of emergency on March 23. The municipality is vulnerable because it is home to a large population of retirees, attracts scores of visitors and has a large population of migrant farm workers.
The Niagara-wide state of emergency directive is farreaching and builds on some measures already in place.
It directs residents not to hold gatherings of more than five people, including private gatherings of extended family, and to avoid all outdoor recreational amenities, including parks, playgrounds, beaches and sports fields.
The declaration closes all nonessential businesses and directs residents to stay at home as much as possible — only leaving the house once a week if required.
The state of emergency also gives municipalities the power to issue fines to enforce public health and emergency directives. Failing to comply with an emergency order carries a fine of $750 per offence and up to $1,000 for obstructing those attempting to carry out their duties.
The joint release acknowledges most residents are following the guidance of public health experts concerning physical distancing and, even, complete isolation in some cases.
It is directed to those in Niagara “who think these rules and regulations do not apply to them. Ignoring the order to stay home and practice physical distancing is not negotiable.” Port Colborne Mayor Bill
Steele has a personal stake in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 in his city and the rest of Niagara. His wife, Debby, is an ICU nurse at Welland Hospital.
Steele said Port Colborne bylaw officers will be working seven days a week to enforce mandatory directives aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19.
“We are underscoring the critical nature of the situation in Niagara,” Steele said.
St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik issued a release at the same time as the Region.
He said St. Catharines residents are doing their part by staying home, and thanked them for the effort.
“We are at a critical time in our fight against this virus, and we all need to mobilize our efforts even more to protect as many people as possible,” Sedzik said. “We are all on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.”
“Generations before us have risen to the challenges of their times, and we are doing the same,” Sendzik’s statement read.
Welland Mayor Frank Campion said the declaration was imperative, and actions over the next several weeks will determine how Niagara will fair during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This situation represents a real and pressing risk to the health of our community, and we all need to work together to slow the spread of the virus,” Campion said.
The Regional release asks also asks residents to check in on each other with phone calls, emails, or video chats and offer to help friends and family with groceries. It also implored residents who have relatives over 70 to do what they can to make sure the seniors don’t have to leave the house.
Residents are also being called on to consider making financial donations to local food banks.