Ford reluctant to issue mandatory ‘stay home’ order, but warns Ontarians they could be fined

Pleading with Ontarians to "stay home" to stop the spread of COVID-19, Premier Doug Ford says he is reluctant to issue a mandatory order keeping people off the streets.

"The vast majority of people are co-operating. I just don't understand what people are thinking that go to these parks," the premier told reporters Monday at his Queen's Park teleconference.

"To have a mandatory order " that's pretty tough," he said, referring to provisions in Ontario's Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

Under the legislation, which was used to declare a state of emergency in the province two weeks ago, the government can temporarily make orders "regulating or prohibiting travel or movement to, from or within any specified area."

Ford's comments came after a weekend that saw hundreds of cars being turned away from High Park and Bluffer's Park as Torontonians tried to take advantage of spring weather.

"You don't like being " the heavy hand that comes down and fines these people. We went to the warning situation. Maybe the next step is to lay some charges, some hefty fines," he said.

"We're running ads, the media's been phenomenal getting the message out there. What don't they understand?"

Scofflaws who gather in groups of five or more when they don't live in the same household already face $750 municipal fines in Toronto and provincial fines of $1,000 are on the books.

Penalties can jump to up to $100,000 plus a year in jail for not obeying Ontario's emergency measures.

"But why do we have to go this way? It's a shame a handful can ruin it for everyone," said Ford.

"Go around your local neighbourhood. Walk around the block. You have to walk around your dog, I understand it," he said.

"But don't be going down to the main path on the lakeshore."

The premier said doctors have advised him the virus can spread in improbable ways.

"A jogger's going along or people walking and someone sneezes, it goes on the sidewalk. You don't know. You walk over it. They have COVID-19 and all of a sudden you're carrying it home on the bottom of your shoes - or a jogger might spit, you accidentally walk over it," he said.

"You're putting everyone in jeopardy."

With Easter and Passover here, Ford urged those marking those important religious occasions to do so at home.

Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie