Weekly protests being held in downtown Barrie to push back against COVID-related restrictions have caught the attention of the health unit, city police and municipal bylaw department.
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon says officials from the three groups will meet virtually on Thursday to discuss what has been happening at Meridian Place on Dunlop Street East.
“As a police service, we have operational plans to deal with public events that take place in outdoor venues such as Meridian Place and can adjust them accordingly depending upon crowd size and other dynamics which become apparent based upon intelligence information received,” Leon told BarrieToday in an email this morning.
“Our plans are flexible and will always be focused upon the safety of the community, first and foremost, with the hope that any gathering that takes place begins and concludes peacefully," he added.
The first Freedom of Information Rally and Lockdown Dispute took place on Saturday, March 13 at Meridian Place, followed by another one on March 20.
One of the event’s organizers previously told BarrieToday the gatherings will happen every Saturday at the same time and place until all of the restrictions are lifted, such as use of masks and physical distancing.
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit medical officer of health Dr. Charles Gardner spoke about the ongoing protests during Tuesday’s conference call with local media.
Gardner recommends the same steps be taken now that were in place during some of last year’s larger protests.
“When we had protests happen a year ago with regards to Black Lives Matter and other issues, as a health unit we put out our recommendations for reduced risk for protests, which did include physical distancing being organized within the event and their use of masks," Gardner said. "Also, (we recommend) the self-exclusion of individuals with symptoms."
Under the current health guidelines in Simcoe-Muskoka, which falls under the red zone in the provincial framework, organized outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 people and must maintain physical distancing.
Last Saturday’s protest was attended by approximately 200 people, many of whom were not adhering to health unit guidelines, including physical distancing and the use of masks.
“If, in fact, we have protests that are not abiding by (those guidelines), then that is indeed a risk situation that is happening, a gathering that would be a potential transmission of COVID-19," Gardner said. "And so as a health unit, we are in communication with the Barrie police with how that could be mitigated."
Mayor Jeff Lehman previously told BarrieToday “people have a right to protest, but do not have a right to put others at risk and violate the emergency order.”
A city spokesperson has told BarrieToday bylaw officers do not attend protests and those matters "typically" fall to Barrie police.
