COVID-19 bylaw blitz starts Monday

Consider yourselves told, Windsor residents: If you ignore pandemic regulations, you will face consequences.

The City of Windsor's bylaw enforcement department has announced that a “proactive” blitz will begin next Monday, and continue “for the foreseeable future.”

That means municipal officers will be checking on businesses and facilities to see that COVID-19 measures such as physical distancing, mandatory masking, and limits on gatherings are being respected.

They'll also be checking if COVID-19 safety plans have been prepared and made public in a conspicuous manner.

“We're moving from a position of potential education to one of definite enforcement,” said Bill Tetler, the city's manager of bylaw enforcement — echoing the zero-tolerance warnings that every municipal leader in Windsor-essex gave earlier this week.

“We're going to ensure businesses are helping lead the way in fighting the spread of COVID-19,” Tetler promised.

Fines for non-compliance can range from $750 for individuals to millions of dollars for corporations.

On Friday, the provincial government announced that Windsor- Essex has moved from “yellow” to “orange” status under Ontario's COVID-19 response framework.

The new “orange” or “restrict” status calls for the city and region to follow enhanced measures, restrictions, and enforcement — while avoiding outright closures.

Indoor dining, gyms, meeting spaces, retail businesses, personal care providers, and even casinos remain open under “orange” status — but with more stringent requirements.

For example, restaurants must close at 10 p.m. and fitness facilities must maintain three metres of distancing between patrons.