Second week of COVID rules enforcement blitz nets 22 charges

The City of Windsor's promised “enforcement blitz” on COVID-19 rules continued last week with the laying of 22 charges.

The city's bylaw enforcement department announced on Monday that 154 “proactive” checks for compliance were conducted last week, along with investigation of 37 complaints.

Of the 22 charges laid, four were related to lack of mask-wearing, two were related to lack of signage, and 16 were due to lack of a safety plan.

According to the City of Windsor, charges due to violation of COVID-19 bylaws typically result in a fine of $880.

Since Nov. 23, with the agreement of every mayor in the Windsor-essex region, municipalities have been cracking down on businesses and residents with respect to the province's orders on gatherings, mask-wearing, and physical distancing.

The current rules require all businesses to have COVID-19 safety plans in place with signage evident, and that physical distancing and usage of masks is observed.

Under the Reopening Ontario Act, safety plans must “describe the measures and procedures which have been implemented or will be implemented in the business, place, facility or establishment to reduce the transmission risk of COVID-19.”

Last week was the second week of the enforcement blitz. The first week resulted in the laying of 23 charges.

No end date for the blitz has been set. The City of Windsor's bylaw enforcement department has stated its efforts in this regard will continue “for the foreseeable future.”