CORNWALL, Ontario – The Cornwall Police Service (CPS) responded to new COVID-19 enforcement measures that were announced by Premier Doug Ford on Friday, April 16.
In a statement to media on Saturday, CPS stated that while they would be reviewing the new enforcement powers handed down by the Ford government, they would not be randomly stopping pedestrians to inquire why they are outside of their home.
“Moving forward, police will have the authority to require any individual who is not in a place of residence to, first, provide their purpose for not being at home, and provide their home address,” Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones during a press conference on Friday announcing the new COVID-19 enforcement measures.
The CPS stated that they would continue to respond to calls and complaints regarding violations of the COVID-19 restrictions.
“With our health care system in a critical state, we all must do our part in order to limit the spread of COVID-19,” said Chief of Police, Danny Aikman. “The Cornwall Police Service will continue to uphold the law through a means of education, engagement and enforcement for anyone who refuses to comply with the necessary measures.”
“We recognize that these are challenging times and we thank our community for their continued compliance,” added Chief Aikman. “Throughout the pandemic, many residents of the City of Cornwall have continued to stay home, follow the public health directions, and assisted our police service by complying with changes to legislation.”
In a statement on their social media on Friday, CPS also asked residents to refrain from calling their dispatch office with questions about the new provincial restrictions and instead to refer to the provincial website.
