2 people, 1 hair salon in Waterloo region ticketed $750 each for defying provincial emergency orders

Two people and a hair salon have been ticketed $750 for going against provincial emergency orders put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.

One person in Kitchener and one in Waterloo received tickets for having a gathering at a private residence of more than five people.

As well, a hair salon in Kitchener was ticketed for failing to comply with an order to stay closed. Those tickets were issued over the last week.

This raises the number of people in the region ticketed under the emergency orders to 18.

Bylaw officials, police and public health inspectors conducted 161 site visits over the past week to provide education or warnings to people or businesses who were believed to have been contravening the orders. As well, there were 227 visits where no action was needed.

Mike Murray, the region's chief administrative officer, said Friday the province's emergency orders remain in effect and local bylaw officials must enforce them.

"There is gradual opening up that is happening, but people need to keep in mind that is in the context of emergency orders still being in effect and still being enforced," Murray said.

"Be aware of what those emergency orders are and do everything people can to continue to comply with them because they'll continue to be enforced."