The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is not anticipating any extra enforcement during the Phase 2 reopening but will use it if necessary.
Chief Administrative Officer Don Shropshire told this week's media teleconference on Thursday that local people have for the most part followed the rules during the COVID-19 pandemic and the approach will continue to be focused on education.
Shropshire said bylaw enforcement officers are starting to go back to their regular duties with the local economy starting to open up and the municipality will be reviewing enforcement.
He said only eight fines have been issued since March and the tip line, which will continue, has only received 1,283 calls over that time. Shropshire added the municipality will continue monitoring the situation and more enforcement will depend on how the public behaves.
"That's something we're going to have to stay on top of. There's still going to be a requirement to enforce the rules if people choose not to respect those guidelines," Shropshire said.
CK Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby hopes people don't try to get around the current health and safety rules because a spike in cases could occur, which could lead to the relaxed rules changing back to more strict conditions.
"We've all got cabin fever. All of us are sick of this but it's better to be sick of it than sick due to it," he said.
Colby said he can't discourage people living in neighbouring municipalities from coming to the Chatham area but hopes common sense prevails. He said he doesn't know what Phase 3 looks like or what the timing would be and added he hasn't given it much thought because he has been very busy with Phase 2.
Shropshire said Chatham-Kent won't be asking neighbouring municipalities for help to enforce the new rules. He said Chatham-Kent has enough bylaw enforcement officers, public health inspectors, and police to handle the job.
Mayor Darrin Canniff told reporters that virtual council meetings will continue because public gatherings must be no more than 10 people but added he would like to return to in-person council meetings as soon as it's safe.
