>> Covid-19Renfrew County and District Health Unit - Media Release-Unmonitored Social and Private Gatherings - September 19, 2020
Renfrew County and District Health Unit
“Optimal Health for All in Renfrew County and District”
For Immediate Release
(Pembroke, Ontario, 8:00 p.m., September 19, 2020)
Effective immediately, Ontario limits the size of unmonitored and private social gatherings
Today the Ontario Government announced an amendment to the Reopening Ontario Framework – Ontario Regulation 364-20 which reduces limits on the number of people permitted to attend unmonitored and private social gatherings province-wide. Unmonitored and private social gatherings include functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, barbeques or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas. This amendment was in response to the alarming growth in the number of COVID-19 cases in the province.
Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is reminding residents about the importance of adhering to public health measures related to unmonitored and private social gathering limits as case counts are on the rise in Renfrew County and District.
Effective immediately, the Reopening Ontario Framework - Ontario Regulation 364/20, amendment states that all unmonitored or private social gatherings social gatherings must adhere to the following:
- Maximum 10 people indoors (maintaining 2 metres physical distancing between all people);
- Maximum 25 people outdoors (maintaining 2 metres physical distancing between all people);
- Indoor and outdoor events and gatherings cannot be merged together. Gatherings of 35 (25 outdoors and 10 indoors) are not permitted.
The new amendments do not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities, which include the following:
- Maximum 50 people indoors (maintaining 2 metres physical distancing between all patrons);
- Maximum 100 people outdoors (maintaining 2 metres physical distancing between all patrons);
- Wearing masks/facial coverings indoors is required;
- Wearing masks/facial coverings outdoors are recommended due to challenges with maintaining physical distancing.
Any events and gatherings with food service taking place in Renfrew County and District must be reported to the health unit before the event takes place.
To better support compliance of public health guidelines, the Ontario Government has enacted the following penalties for anyone willfully contravening the law:
- A minimum fine of $10,000 for organizers/hosts of gatherings.
- A minimum fine of $750 for attendees of gatherings.
Dr. Robert Cushman, Acting Medical Officer of Health, RCDHU, asks everyone to “rigorously observe public health precautions” – stay home if you are sick, avoid contact with people who are ill, limit social activities, keep your bubble small, practice physical distancing (2 metres), wear
a mask/face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained, wash your hands, and use the COVID Alert App.
“This is no time for complacency or distraction, but rather a time to renew our commitment to protecting Renfrew County and District,” states Dr. Cushman.
For more information, visit RCDHU’s website at https://www.rcdhu.com/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-2/ or call RCDHU at 613-732-3629 or 1-800-267-1097.
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Renfrew County and District Health Unit
Fax: 613-735-3067