Gathering in a group? Hamilton police and bylaw officers will fine you $750

Hamilton residents who hang out with five or more friends at a time are now risking a fine of $750.

City bylaw enforcement officers are keeping an eye out for groups of more than five people who are violating social distancing rules, says Paul Johnson, director of the city's emergency management centre. The province has issued an emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, Johnson said, which means police and bylaw officers can lay fines.

Police have already been doing that work, Johnson said late Monday, but now city enforcement officers are ticketing too. They can also fine businesses and corporations that are open and shouldn't be to a maximum of $500,000.

"Those are few and … far between," he said of the businesses. "What's more worrying is people still thinking it's OK to go out and do some of the things they normally do."

"We're not talking about finding ways to make it safer to get together. We are being asked not to get together."

Provincial and local health officials issued strong directives this month to stay two metres away from people to prevent the spread of COVID-19. On March 28, the province stepped it up by issuing an emergency order.

Police have already been laying charges. On March 19, officers charged the owners of the Shisha Kaif Cafe on Upper James Street for allegedly operating as usual, despite the province-wide order. The charge is "failing to comply with the order made during the declared emergency."

Now an Ancaster man faces a charge of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, as well as two counts of possession of the proceeds of crime, and also a charge of violating the emergency act.

Johnson said he sees kids playing in large groups in parks, and ordinarily, he wants parents to encourage that. But if a kid asks to go play with friends, "right now, that answer is no," he said.

"To me, now, the real question is why would anybody be gathering together in any way."

The order doesn't apply to households of more than five people, and child care centres that serve frontline health care workers and first responders. Funerals are limited to 10 people. 

The city is also taking calls from people concerned about a local business or public gatherings of more than five people without physical distancing (905-546-2489), businesses not following proper hygiene (905-974-9848), asking if a business is essential (1-888-444-3659) and price gouging (1-800-889-9768).

Hamilton has 91 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and one death, as of Tuesday morning.