Some local bars ignored gathering ban

Despite provincial orders that all bars and restaurants must temporarily close due to the risk of COVID-19, some businesses in Windsor-essex tried to stay open on St. Patrick’s Day, according to the health unit.

Dr. Wajid Ahmed, the region’s medical officer of health, said inspectors of the Windsor-essex County Health Unit were out in the community late Tuesday to ensure compliance with the orders.

Ahmed said the enforcement efforts were focused on “the highrisk establishments for St. Patrick’s Day, such as bars and nightclubs.”

“As a result, several area businesses were issued a Section 22 order under the Health Promotion and Protection Act,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed did not name the businesses.

Section 22 of the HPPA allows the medical officer of health to force closure of a business if he or she thinks there is a risk of communicable disease.

“It was essential that we shut down any activities that bring people together and ignore social distancing measures,” Ahmed explained.

“We are not making those decisions lightly. We want to make sure that the health and well-being of our community is protected. “We recognize that it comes at a loss. We all have our part to play to slow the spread of the disease in the community.”

No fines were levelled, Ahmed said. Monitoring and policing of such businesses will continue.

Other business or facility categories that have been ordered by the province to close are:

■ All places with indoor recreation programs;

■ All public libraries;

■ All private schools and child care centres;

■ All theatres, cinemas, and concert venues.

It was essential that we shut down any activities that ... ignore social distancing measures.