On Sunday, April 18, 2021 around 11 a.m. Bracebridge OPP received a complaint from a member of the public for a public gathering church service inside a warehouse on Monica Lane that was violating the provincial guidelines under the Re-Opening Act Of Ontario.
Police told Muskoka411 there were about 55 people inside not wearing masks or social distancing.
Police said in a press release that attempts were made by to educate the involved people and have them disperse however, the pastor refused to co-operate and was subsequently issued a provincial offence notice for Failing to Comply with Order 10(1) under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA).
Muskoka411 spoke to people outside who attended the Life Church Muskoka service that asked to remain anonymous and said they are upset that the person making the complaint did not speak directly with church officials first. They added that they were not happy with the police coming inside while the service was taking place.
Organizers have no plans to stop the regular Sunday service in the future.
The OPP is requesting that members of the public voluntarily comply with the new emergency orders and do their part to support the Government of Ontario’s health emergency declaration to limit transmission of the COVID-19 virus.