Public Health issues Class Order restricting indoor private gatherings

Due to the rising case levels in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A), Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health issued a Class Order pursuant to Section 22 of the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act, 1990. The Order will proactively protect our community, keep our schools safe and open, and prevent an impact on our healthcare resources by implementing indoor social gathering restrictions in private dwellings within the KFL&A region, according to KFL&A Public Health.

This Class Order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, and applies to all persons in the City of Kingston and the Counties of Frontenac and Lennox & Addington, according to a release from KFL&A Public Health.

In accordance with this Order:

• No person shall attend or host an indoor social gathering in a private dwelling with more than 10 people, including residents of the private dwelling and social gathering attendees.
• Persons responsible for hosting social gatherings in private dwellings shall maintain a list of names and contact information for guests and, upon request, provide KFL&A Public Health with this information within 24 hours of the request, or other time specified, for the purposes of COVID-19 case and contact tracing.
• Persons responsible for hosting an indoor social gathering in a private dwelling shall provide KFL&A Public Health with other information regarding the social gathering as requested by KFL&A Public Health within 24 hours of the request, or other time specified, for the purposes of COVID-19 case and contact tracing.
• Comply with the requirements set out under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (the ROA) and applicable regulations as well as the requirements under this Order. Where this Order imposes an additional requirement not set out in the ROA, the requirement of this Order must be followed.

“COVID-19 cases in the KFL&A region are rising and we know that nearly half of our cases are acquired in the household setting. Reducing indoor gathering limits in private dwellings is prudent and necessary to prevent illness and the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza. “I want to thank the community for their continued vigilance and support in keeping our community safe and want to emphasize the importance of continuing to adhere to public health measures.”

Any failure to comply with this Order can result in fines of up to $5,000 for every day or part of each day on which the offence occurs or continues, according to the release. Inquiries regarding this Order should be directed to [email protected].

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