Public Health further restricts indoor gatherings with new Class Order

Due to the recent increase in cases due to the highly contagious nature of the Omicron variant which has been identified in the KFL&A region, Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health, has issued a Class Order pursuant to Section 22 of the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act, 1990,

This Class Order takes effect at 6 p.m. today, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, and continues until Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, at 11:59 a.m.

According to a release from KFL&A Public Health, these revised restrictions will help to ensure protection in the community, keep local schools and businesses safe and open, and prevent an impact on the emergency health care resources within the City of Kingston.

The Class Order is issued to all persons in or present in the City of Kingston, along with businesses that serve food or alcohol and offer seating associated with their food establishment in the City of Kingston.

In accordance with this Order, no person shall:

• Host or attend indoor or outdoor social gatherings or an organized public event with more than five persons. 

Also, all businesses that serve food and offer seating associated with their food establishment shall:

• Be closed to the public for indoor dining from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Pick up and take out is permitted.
• Not sell or serve alcohol except between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. No consumption of alcohol is permitted in the business or place between the hours of 10 p.m. to 12 p.m.
• Ensure all patrons are seated when served. Pick up and take out is exempt from this requirement.
• Seat no more than four persons to a table.
• Not allow dancing, singing, or live performances of music. Volume of music is low enough to allow for normal conversation.

“Cases are increasing at a concerning rate and it is clear we must take further action to protect our community,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health. “We are issuing this class order and asking everyone to adhere to these social gathering limitations. We have come so far, and as we provide increasing immunity to our community through immunization, we must all be vigilant and keep our community safe. We all have a responsibility to adhere to public health measures—monitor for symptoms, stay home when ill, reduce social contacts, and avoid social gatherings.”

Any failure to comply with this Class Order can result in fines of up to $5,000 for every day or part of a day on which the offence occurs or continues, according to the release.

Services at places of worship are not included in the order.

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit www.Kflaph.ca/Coronavirus or www.Ontario.ca/coronavirus.