London police awaiting details of enhanced powers to enforce stay-at-home order
The province says police are allowed to stop people and ask why they're not at home
The London Police Service says it's reviewing information received from the province about the updated stay-at-home order that temporarily grants police forces across Ontario higher enforcement powers.
Under the revised order, starting Saturday and for the remainder of the extended six-week stay-at-home order, police have the authority to stop and ask anyone outside their residence to indicate why they have left their home and provide their address.
The new powers were granted as part of a longer list of measures and restrictions announced by the province Friday afternoon in an attempt to control the skyrocketing spread of COVID-19.
In addition to the revised policing powers, the province is also banning outdoor gatherings of people from different households, closing outdoor recreational amenities and setting up provincial border checkpoints.
"People need to understand just how important it is to think twice before they go out and do unnecessary trips," Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones told CBC's Afternoon Drive. "It's a matter of life and death."
On Friday evening, the London Police Service (LPS) said they were waiting for the government to reveal specific details about the revised order.
"When the details become available, we will assess the specific ask of the police, including what our enforcement powers will be, as well as restrictions and exceptions," a LPS spokesperson said in an emailed statement sent to CBC News.
"As we have been, our plan is to continue to engage, explain, educate and enforce. Our goal – as should be the goal of everyone in the community – is to help put an end to COVID-19 so that we can all return to 'normal' business," the statement read.
Back in January when the province issued its second stay-at-home order during the pandemic, many sounded the alarm about how problematic it would be if police had the power to stop people to check for compliance.
"I say go and speak to the ICU nurses who have been working around the clock on very overworked wards," Jones said when asked what she would say to people who say this type of enforcement is a violation of civil liberties.
Jones said those who fail to answer police inquiries or who are caught breaking the stay-at-home order can face a $750 ticket.