Niagara must start enforcing distancing rules

The time for “educating” the public on the need to avoid crowds and maintain physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic expired about two weeks ago.

Yet, that’s how enforcement staff from Niagara’s three largest cities, along with the Niagara Regional Police, say they will deal with people when bylaw officers encounter more than five of them gathered together.

Enough already. Start laying charges.

This isn’t the time for our leaders to talk out of both sides of their mouths.

For weeks, we have been told and told — and rightly so — to stay away from crowds. Don’t visit friends or family in their homes and work from home if you can. Generally, many have been doing it.

But then officials tell us they still want to educate people before laying charges. Raise awareness. Tell them to go home and hope they stay there.

The province has given municipalities the power to act against non-essential businesses that continue to operate or people who gather in groups larger than five. Failure to comply carries a significant cost, a minimum fine of $750. And trying to obstruct the bylaw officer from issuing a ticket brings with it a $1,000 fine.

We’re told of numerous incidents lately of people violating those restrictions. In Niagara, it’s time to start laying charges. Set an example to the entire community. The vast majority of people are on board, but it’s that small minority who haven’t that are a threat to the rest of us.

The City of Brampton recently issued its first ticket, after someone called to complain about a backyard party with more than 20 people together.

That city implemented its own system of bylaws and fines, and asked residents to report violators. Education?

You’d have to be from another planet to not already be educated on the basics of the COVID-19 virus by now — maintain physical distancing, cover your coughs and sneezes, and wash your hand numerous times every day.

It’s clear the public would support any municipality that charges someone over this. A recent poll by Campaign Research found three-quarters of Canadians say they are “virtually self-isolating at home” and 96 per cent of respondents believe distancing will slow the spread of the coronavirus.

That’s probably reflected in Niagara, yet there are troubling signs some people still don’t get it.

How many times have you gone for groceries or supplies and seen not just one or two people shopping together, but couples who have brought one or even all the kids? You can’t treat shopping as a social event any more, it’s not a chance to get out of the house for a while.

Go alone if you can, and be aware while you are in the store — respect the distancing markers that are probably taped to the floor. And don’t get in the space of staff or other shoppers.

Even worse are the people who wear rubber gloves and masks to shop, and then discard their used gloves in the parking lot or on the sidewalks or lawns outside the store. Someone has to pick up those potentially contaminated gloves.

Compared to the U.S., where many states incredibly still haven’t bought into the idea that physical distancing is the biggest weapon we have to control COVID -19, the response in Niagara and across Canada has been wonderful.

But it’s easy to refrain from gathering in crowds. And it’s easy to limit your shopping trips and to safely discard your used gloves and mask. It just takes a little will and some much-needed enforcement.