Kawartha Lakes taking hardline stancE on COVID-19 rule enforcement

DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: The City of Kawartha Lakes is going to crackdown on COVID-19 rule breakers. After the province recently lowered gathering sizes to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, Kawartha Lakes mayor Andy Letham made a statement in a YouTube video, “The new limits are effective immediately, and apply to gatherings: such as parties, dinners, barbecues and wedding receptions, held at unsupervised areas such as private residences, backyards and parks.” The statement was released on Tuesday, September 22nd. “We need to be proactive now or we will lose the progress we’ve gained as a result of everyone’s hard work and sacrifice. We will be working with law enforcement to transition over from education and warnings to disciplinary measures and penalties.” He went on to say the time for educating the public on safety rules is over. “What that means is, anyone not complying with the new regulations will be facing the very real possibility of a substantial fine,” Mayor Letham explained. People who wish to report gatherings, in Kawartha Lakes, larger than what’s allowed in Ontario can call Kawartha Lakes Police, at 705-324-5252, or the Ontario Provincial Police, at 705-324-6741.