COVID-19: MLHU Issues New Orders Ahead Of Possible HoCo Weekend Celebrations, FoCo – London | The Canadian News

As London, Ontario gears up for a weekend that typically sees thousands of people gathering for celebrations near Western University, local health officials have issued a new set of COVID-19-related orders that comes equipped with majors. fines for violators of the rules.

On Tuesday, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) announced a pair of Section 22 Orders, orders that allow public health units to implement localized rules within their jurisdiction, for food and beverage establishments, as well as organized public events and social gatherings.

The orders, which go into effect at 12:01 p.m. Thursday, reflect much of what is already in effect in Step 3 of Ontario’s reopening plan.

For food and drink establishments, which include bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, customers must wear a mask or face shield at all times, except when eating or drinking while seated in a designated area. Companies must also ensure that these areas are at least two meters apart or separated by a waterproof barrier such as Plexiglass.

The other order reiterates provincial limits on gatherings, which currently has a limit of 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

In a press release sent after the orders were announced, the MLHU says the rules apply to any organized public event, informal public event, or social gathering, “whether it takes place on a street or in a private dwelling, including houses, apartment buildings, condominiums, and high school student residences. “

Orders arrive days before the Fake Homecoming (FoCo) celebrations are expected to take place, an informal party often held in student neighborhoods near Western.

The first Focus in 2016 was organized in response to the university shifting its Homecoming (HoCo) weekend to mid-October, a time when students often face exams, in an effort to cut back on the holidays. unauthorized street activities.

This weekend will see HoCo return to its original late September date, aligning itself with its “fake” counterpart, which is expected to take place on Saturday.

While an estimated 25,000 people had attended FoCo in 2019, students last year skipped the celebrations following warnings from local officials linked to COVID-19-related concerns.

At a press conference Tuesday, Medical Health Officer Dr. Chris Mackie said that while the potential of the holidays this weekend played a role in MLHU issuing the new orders, “these holidays are already happening. “.

“We saw them two weeks ago, we saw them last weekend, sadly we are seeing relatively large meetings. We haven’t seen anything yet that has reached the level of 20,000 (people) that some of the past meetings (FoCo) have had, and we sincerely hope we don’t, ”Mackie said.

As for the big get-togethers last weekend, Mackie cited a video posted on Twitter depicting what appeared to be a massive, undissociated crowd attending a concert at The Belfort, a nightclub near the city center.

“There are no masks here, it’s a very close contact, this is actually in a managed facility, so this is a licensed facility that had that type of gathering as part of what’s approved under the Ontario Reopening Act. “Mackie said in his description of the video. “We anticipate that we will be able to see similar meetings, outside of those managed facilities, next weekend.”

“We are not against partying, we are not against drinking, we are not against dancing, it is really about doing those things in the safest way possible.

As for why the MLHU issued orders reiterating existing provincial rules, Mackie said the new orders will provide an “additional avenue for enforcement” locally.

Local orders will see new financial penalties for violations, with individuals facing a $ 750 fine and companies or organizations facing a $ 1,000 fine.

Repeated violations can result in escalating fines, capped at $ 5,000 for individuals and $ 25,000 for businesses or organizations.

“We know that is not going to solve all the problems that exist, but for some people, we hope that will help them make a better decision,” Mackie added.

Other local officials have also raised concerns about potential FoCo celebrations this weekend, including Ward 6 Coun. Phil Squire, representing an area of ​​London that covers Western University and its surrounding neighborhoods.

“I’m really concerned this year because my constituents, the police, certainly the city administration, have said that things feel different and that people are determined to do something and that determination can lead to unfortunate events,” Squire told Global News.

“I think what we’re hearing is that last year took a year off for COVID, that students in large numbers feel this is a rite of passage, and they are going to do it.”

Mayor Ed Holder added that increased fines put a “high price” on violating the rules.

“It’s not an option we wanted, no one said this would be really preferable, but we were put in this position two and three weeks ago,” Holder said.

“I urge students to do the right thing.”

In a Western response issued Tuesday afternoon, Chris Alleyne, the university’s associate vice president for housing and support services, said the school fully supports “all measures aimed at maintaining the safety of the community.”

“The ongoing threat of COVID-19, violence, and personal safety are reasons we ask our students to choose to avoid unauthorized mass gatherings. We ask that you keep your circles small, be with friends you trust and respect and care for each other, and for the London community, ”Alleyne said in a statement sent to Global News.

“In addition to the staff, volunteers, and significant security on campus this weekend, Western also has a number of physical and mental health supports available to students.”

See link »