The Town of Cobourg and the Cobourg Police Service would like to remind citizens of the Ontario government’s emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act prohibiting organized public events and social gatherings of more than five people. This applies to social gatherings or religious celebrations for Easter, Passover or other faith-based holidays this weekend.
In order to help contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public, the provincial Declaration of Emergency prohibits events of more than five people including parades, weddings, social gatherings and communal services within places of worship. This order would not apply to private households with five people or more who ordinarily reside at that location.
Citizens organizing or attending gatherings of more than 5 people may be charged under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, which carries a fine starting at $750. Cobourg Police and the Town of Cobourg’s Municipal Bylaw Enforcement will be charging citizens who do not abide by this order.
“As a community we need to continue to stay safe and stay home but we are also thinking about how to support citizens in practicing their faith without having in-person gatherings,” said Mayor John Henderson for the Town of Cobourg. “I am so pleased to see that many faith groups are hosting virtual services in order to keep our community safe.”
Citizens celebrating Easter, Passover or other faith-based holidays are encouraged to find alternate ways to celebrate, gather and worship during this time. Many churches in Cobourg have transitioned to hosting virtually sermons through their Facebook page or YouTube Channel, including Trinity United Church, Cobourg Alliance Church, Fellowship Baptist Church, Church on the Hill and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
The Town of Cobourg recommends that you:
• Connect with your faith leader to learn about worship services through online channels such as Zoom or Skype.
• Do not gather with those who do not already live in your home. Instead, spend time with your family from a distance by hosting a virtual brunch or dinner online.
• Only go to the store for essential needs and only when you have to. Do not spend hours in the grocery store collecting every ingredient for a large family feast. Don’t rush out for chocolate, jellybeans and holiday trinkets.
• Get creative to keep your family traditions going, including a virtual Easter egg hunt for children.
Citizens are strongly encouraged to celebrate Easter, Passover and other faith-based holidays in a safe way, so these holidays do not lead to additional cases of COVID-19.
On behalf of Municipal Council, Town staff and the Cobourg Police Service, we thank you for your steadfast cooperation and commitment to flattening the curve. Have a safe, happy and virtual Easter everyone.
Public Transit Operational Hours
Conventional and WHEELS Transit will not be operational on Friday, April 10th in recognition of Good Friday. Transit will be operating on Easter Sunday (April 12th) and Easter Monday (April 13th).
Stay Informed
The Town of Cobourg has launched a dedicated COVID-19 webpage that includes program and service updates, news issued from the municipality and risk reduction advice. Updates will be posted to www.cobourg.ca/covid19 as they come in.
For local health unit updates visit the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s website www.hkpr.on.ca. For provincial information including the status of cases in the province visit www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
