The uncharted waters of social distancing both voluntary and obligatory have left a lot of people at sea. Toronto police Wednesday issued a release reminding people that travel or parking in a car with five or fewer people is not against the law. It may not be recommended, but it won’t result in arrest. This remains true even if you hardly know the other parties in the car. Recent public directives intended to combat COVID-19 make a distinction between such informal groupings and “organized public events and social gatherings.” As well, say police, enforced closures apply as follows:
– All facilities providing indoor recreational programs
– All public libraries
– All private schools as defined in the Education Act
– All licensed child care centres
– All bars and restaurants, except to the extent that such facilities provide takeout food and delivery
– All theatres including those offering live performances of music, dance, and other art forms, as well as cinemas that show movies
– Concert venues
– All City-owned playgrounds, sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, skateboard and BMX parks, picnic areas, outdoor exercise equipment and other parks amenities, as well as parking lots attached to its parks system
Questions about organized public events and social gatherings of more than five people or open businesses that should be closed can be addressed by calling 311. The police are probably quite happy that City of Toronto bylaw officers have the job of monitoring and providing information and education to non-compliant individuals and businesses. In some cases, the Toronto police will be contacted to conduct enforcement actions under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. In the end, the TPS release says officers will use their discretion to determine the proper action. Amen to that.
