The Town of Cobourg and the Cobourg Police remind everyone that the provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act ban on gatherings of more than five people applies to Easter observances, including everything from social gatherings to religious celebrations for Easter, Passover or other faith-based holidays.
The only exception to the five-person rule is when a private household contains five or more people who ordinarily reside at that address.
Citizens organizing or attending gatherings of more than five people can be charged under the act by town police or bylaw-enforcement officers, with fines that start at $750.
“As a community, we need to continue to stay safe and stay home, but we are also thinking about how to support citizens in practicing their faith without having in-person gatherings,” Mayor John Henderson said in the press release.
“I am so pleased to see that many faith groups are hosting virtual services in order to keep our community safe.”
Many churches in Cobourg have transitioned to holding virtual sermons through Facebook pages or YouTube channels, including Trinity United Church, Cobourg Alliance Church, Fellowship Baptist Church, Church on the Hill and St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
This Easter weekend, the town is sharing some recommendations.
Connect with your faith leader to learn about worship services through on-line channels such as Zoom or Skype.
Do not gather with those who do not already live in your home. Instead, spend time with distant family by hosting a virtual on-line brunch or dinner.
Only go to the store for essential needs, rather than rushing out for chocolate, jellybeans or holiday trinkets. And do not spend hours at the grocery store gathering every little ingredient for a large family feast.
Keep family traditions going in creative new ways, like a virtual Easter-egg hunt for children.
The Town of Cobourg will have no transit service on Good Friday, though it will be operating on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
The town is providing program and service updates, news and risk-reduction advice on a dedicated webpage, with updates posted to www.cobourg.ca/covid19 as they come in.