Restrictions will be implemented on indoor social gatherings in residences within Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) region effective Saturday, according to a press release issued by KFL&A Public Health on Friday.
The region’s order mandates that no person can attend or host an indoor social gathering in a residence with more than 10 people.
KFL&A Public Health is instructing people who plan to host social gatherings to maintain a list of names and contact information for guests. Hosts are required to provide KFL&A Public Health with this information within 24 hours upon it being requested for contact tracing.
Failure to comply with this order can lead to fines of up to $5,000 for every day an offence occurs or continues.
KFL&A Medical Officer of Health Dr. Piotr Oglaza said in the press release that he is issuing this order to protect the community.
“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,” said Oglaza. “Reducing indoor gathering limits in private dwellings is prudent and necessary to prevent illness and the spread of COVID-19.”
In comparison, indoor social gatherings in residences across Ontario are permitted up to 25 people.
The Ontario government paused the lifting of capacity limits in certain high-risk settings on Nov. 15 as the province monitors public health trends.
These high-risk settings include food or drink establishments with dance floors such as nightclubs and event spaces, strip clubs, and sex clubs and bathhouses.
Ontario will continue to monitor the data for the next 28 days to determine when it is safe to lift capacity limits in these settings.
The Premier’s Office could not be reached for comment in time for publication.
