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Police waiting for more information on enforcement of stay-at-home order

Provincewide measure aims to bring down soaring COVID-19 infections
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With Ontario’s new stay-at-home order now in effect, police are still unsure of what that means in terms of enforcement.

Greater Sudbury Police said in an email statement that it is waiting for more detailed information, including the legislation, from the Solicitor General. 

“GSPS, in partnership with (City of Greater Sudbury) By-law and Public Health Sudbury & Districts will continue to enforce the Emergency Orders through our legislated authority,” said spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn in an email.

Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Carlo Berardi said enforcement measures during the lockdown are still being discussed, and said he hopes to have more information tomorrow.

A message to the City of Greater Sudbury for details has not yet been answered.

The order allows people to go out for essential purposes: shopping for necessities such as food or medicine, exercising or, for those who cannot do so from home, going to work. Employers must allow staff to work from home if possible.

The province hasn’t defined what “essential” means under the order, saying everyone has their own unique circumstances and regional considerations. 

There is also no limit on how many times people can leave their homes per day, or on how long they can be out. Officials are asking Ontarians to use their "best judgment" to determine what constitutes an essential trip and says residents should spend as little time outside of their home as possible.

People who live alone and single parents can also consider having exclusive, close contact with one other household in an effort to offset the effects of isolation.

-with files from Canadian Press