News – California – Limits are set to be in place in the Bell area over the Diwali weekend, mayors say

Kerissa Wilson
Web Content Writer, CP24

Toronto –
Peel District mayors say restrictions will be imposed on social gatherings this weekend as people celebrate Diwali amid a wave of COVID-19 infections

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, takes place on a Saturday and is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs for five days, usually.

But as Bell faces a fierce second wave of the virus, the Mississauga and Brampton mayors are urging the public to only celebrate Diwali with their families.

“I think we all agree together that you celebrate with only your family, your immediate family, and if you want to bring your extended family to the festivities then do it online,” Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said Thursday morning.

Crombie and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown told CP24 that law enforcement officials will “totally” out on street patrols to ensure people aren’t hosting prohibited gatherings

“We are very concerned about Diwali’s rise in numbers so we will come out with full force on Saturday trying to make sure everyone adheres to public health guidelines” Brown said, “We can’t risk a big spike in the numbers”

With the number of cases seen rising two weeks after Halloween, Crombie said residents must remain vigilant now to avoid endangering the upcoming winter vacation

“What we saw is every two weeks as a result of families coming together, we’re seeing massive growth in numbers so we saw the reopening in September, the numbers went up. We saw Thanksgiving, and after two weeks the numbers increased now. I’m looking forward to seeing the numbers after the Halloween house parties and the next sure is Diwali,” She said

Crombie added that both mayors will be busy ahead of Diwali spreading the stay-at-home message to prevent a spike in COVID-19 cases.

“I know Mayor Brown and I will be very active on social media, in ethnic newspapers, ethnic radios, and TV stations sending the same message that now is not the time to gather, and now we need to control this virus because the issue is important and rising.”

On Thursday, Belle D District Health Officer said Lawrence Luo reiterated the need for people to stick to their families

“Do not attend or host group gatherings or celebrations,” he said during a Brampton press conference Thursday morning, “Every additional interaction is an increased risk and large groups are fertile ground for proliferation.”

Peel and soon Toronto are the only two regions to be placed in the new county red “control” category for the Reopening Frame

This means that gathering limits for social and public events are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors.

In a boycott setting, organizers of illegal social gatherings could face a fine of at least $ 10,000, and those who attend those gatherings could face a $ 750 fine.

Meanwhile, the weekly average for the October 27-November 2 period was 105 cases per 100,000, according to Peel District public health officials

Birthday parties, weddings, and other large gatherings are banned, and there are additional restrictions on indoor dining and gyms.

In addition, from November 13 at 12:01 pm whether or not social gatherings that celebrate holidays and life events are allowed in commercial establishments

These stricter measures come at a time when hospital systems in the Peel area are at full capacity due to the sudden rise in the number of COVID-19 patients

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