Alex Kurial
Local Journalism Initiative

The birthday parades and drive-by salutes will keep on rolling in Lambton County, as long as social distancing guidelines continue to be followed.
The issue was raised last week at the county’s Emergency Control Group Update meeting, due to concerns from the Ontario Provincial Police.
The OPP stressed that any traditional parades were not allowed due to the provincial Emergency Act order limiting gatherings to five people or less. 
Regarding the popular birthday parade and salute to health care worker convoys that have sprung up, the OPP said that while “any circumstance that has potential to draw a crowd should be avoided,” they will not be taking action against them.
They will however no longer be taking part in these events, a change in policy from early last month when the OPP were active participants.
The police force says that due to operational reasons they were unable to maintain participation. The OPP instead switched to posting signs of support around various communities to show their support to front-line workers. 
Bill Weber, warden for Lambton County, says that during discussions with the OPP they raised concerns about people on lawns coming up to cars in the convoy to chat. 
“It’s not recommended,” Weber said of the drive-bys. “There’s other ways to show support for those front-line workers that are safer.
“When we get all through this and we get everybody safe again we’ll have parades and celebrations. But right now it doesn’t help with social distancing.”
Last week the city of Burlington banned vehicle parades of more than five cars, citing public safety and difficulty in maintaining social distancing.