While Mother’s Day is ordinarily an occasion for families to gather, this Sunday will instead be coloured by social distancing.
Translation courtesy Amanda Bennett
With this particular day approaching, here is a reminder of what is permitted and prohibited according to police and governmental sources.
People living in the same house can be physically affectionate with one another. They have the right to do so in their homes as well as in public spaces, provided that the limits of social decency are respected, of course.
Two parents and their children who all live together can walk in the street as a group without having to be 2 metres away from one another.
While the message to remain at home is being conveyed, it is a recommendation. There is no obligation, barring being in quarantine. Walking, driving and cycling are all permitted, as long as social distancing is respected.
Communicating to others via word-of-mouth isn’t illegal either. “Two people who cross paths on the sidewalk can speak to one another if they respect the 2 metres,” the Sûreté du Québec specified in a video, which presents situations where calling the police is not appropriate.
Newly entering this category: two couples who are talking from a safe distance in a yard; employees within the essential services sector who are working closely to one another and seeing an unusual car in the neighbour’s driveway. These situations are all OK and they do not require alerting the police.
Illegal
Indoor and outdoor parties are illegal, as are sporting, cultural and religious assemblies. Also, businesses that are open but do not appear on the list of government authorized places of business. In such cases the police can intervene.
Citizens’ Common Sense
What will the Châteauguay Police force’s approach be this coming weekend?
“Will the Châteauguay police visit each home to check if people are gathering? The answer is obviously no. We have faith in our citizens’ common sense,” stated Sargent Jean-Philippe Hurteau. “However, it is important to specify that police will not be turning a blind eye and will be dispatched following each call to denounce a prohibited gathering,” he warned.
Fewer Calls
The guidelines seem to be well understood. “For the moment, Covid-19-related calls are steadily decreasing,” Sargent Hurteau informed. “The majority of these calls were for gatherings that did not follow public health directives.”
The spokesperson stressed that the majority of people are respecting the directives. “The recalcitrant portion of the population is the exception when it comes to our policing service,” he indicated. “We want to take this opportunity to congratulate the citizens we serve and in particular the seniors in residences who are still subject to very strict confinement measures.”
