Mayor signs by-laws regulating disposal of personal protective equipment

Amidst disturbing reports of individuals discarding personal protective equipment (PPE) on both private and public property, Mayor Rob Burton enacted By-law 2020-058 on April 9, 2020, to regulate discarding of PPE to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
 
By-law 2020-059, a by-law to amend the Litter By-law, 2011-045 and Parks By-law, 2013-013, was also passed, to create Administrative Penalties of $300 for littering in parks and other public places.

"We can all agree that face masks and gloves belong in garbage cans, not littered in our town, and now anyone caught not properly disposing of PPE can be issued a penalty under the by-law," said Mayor Burton. "From a health and safety perspective, we now have a situation where somebody else has to pick these items up and expose themselves to the risk."

The monetary penalties and/or administrative fees associated with the new by-law and amended by-laws are intended to encourage compliance with the by-laws and limit the risk to others during the COVID-19 emergency.

Earlier this week, the province announced that it is extending the state of emergency until May 12.

Residents are urged to follow the advice of the Chief Public Health Officer and stay home as much as possible.

"We are doing what we can to lessen the spread of COVID-19. We are still at a very critical stage. What we do now impacts the length of this pandemic. I ask that we all do our part and stay home," said Mayor Burton.

Find more information on the town's response to the COVID-19 emergency on our  COVID-19 Information  page or visit the  Halton Region  website for health-related information.
Staying at home helps protect
you and others from COVID-19
 
Residents are urged to follow the instruction of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and stay home except for essential reasons, such as to access health care services; shop for groceries; pick-up medication at the pharmacy; walk pets when required; and support vulnerable community members.

I f you must go out, please remember:
  • keep a minimum 2 metres from others
  • keep dogs on a 2-metre leash

Answers to your questions

Can I walk through a park?

Yes, but to keep you safe:
  • Walking, jogging, riding a bike or a wheelchair etc. along park pathways or trails is permitted, but maintain 2 metres physical distancing.
  • All recreation centre grounds, parks, sports fields, skateboard areas, playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts etc. and their parking lots, are closed for any groups, even members of the same family.
  • Avoid using playground equipment, benches or other structures. They are closed for your safety as they are not sanitized.
  • Always check park signage. Trails and other parks areas may be closed for safety reasons such as flooding.
  • Dispose of garbage, including dog waste and used masks and gloves properly and safely in garbage cans.
Fines may be charged for violating emergency orders and town by-laws.



Stay home. Stop the spread. Save lives. 

 

Town of Oakville  |  1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville  |   oakville.ca  |  905-845-6601