'CLOSED': Burlington bylaw officers show up with bullhorns to clear out this hot spot

Just because it's hot doesn't mean the rules stop being in effect.

Bylaw officers were at Burlington Beach on May 25, with bullhorns in hand, dispersing the roughly 100 people who had come out to sun tan and swim. Regardless of whether or not attendees respect social distancing rules, going to the beach is a violation of the March 30 COVID-19 provincial declaration of emergency, which closed all beaches in Ontario.

Temperatures reached 30 C on May 25.

Kwab Ako-Adjei, with the city of Burlington, said the officers didn't hand out tickets to the violators.

Bylaw officials were on-site because the beach is closed under provincial emergency orders. No tickets were issued; bylaw staff educated beachgoers and gave warnings," said Ako-Adjei.

Bylaw and the Halton police reported they had received multiple calls for overcrowding at the beach on May 25.

Beach closures were ordered as part of extended provincial measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. It is expected they will remain closed until the declaration is lifted.

Ako-Adjei said additional measures will be taken to keep people from violating the beach closure.

The city will be installing additional signage to inform visitors of the closure. We are also arranging for fencing to be installed along the full length of the beach," said Ako-Adjei.

Residents who wish to report a potential violation of the provincial orders or the city's COVID-19 physical distancing bylaw should call the Halton Regional Police Service.

A COVID-19 hotline has been set up at 905-825-4722.