Coquitlam RCMP has fined a local resident upwards of $1,000 for multiple breaches of the Quarantine Act.
In a Tweet Friday afternoon, Coquitlam RCMP posted a photo of a ticket indicating an individual had been fined $1,150 for failure to comply with the act.
Activated as a measure to stem the spread of the coronavirus from overseas sources, the Quarantine Act requires international travellers entering Canada to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
“A fine was recently issued for this law after continuously being disobeyed,” read the Tweet.
Coquitlam RCMP was not immediately available for comment.
A reminder to all, international travellers returning to B.C. are required by law to self-quarantine for 14 days. A fine was recently issued for this law after continuously being disobeyed.
— CQ RCMP (@cqrcmp) January 8, 2021
Please stay home when sick or asked to self quarantine. #weareallinthistogether pic.twitter.com/opgiS70s8x
ENHANCED ENFORCEMENT
As of Jan. 1, B.C. law enforcement had issued 77 tickets to individuals who were in breach of the Quarantine Act, adding up to $84,266.25 in fines, according to the Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General.
While breaches of the Quarantine Act stem from federal legislation, police departments across the province have also been busy enforcing provincial COVID-19 measures — especially since Dec. 16, when the province implemented enhanced enforcement measures to “mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.”
That has meant “strengthening COVID-19 fine-collection measures and asking provincial enforcement officers to actively support police and increase enforcement by issuing violation tickets as appropriate during their normal course of duties or when in public places,” wrote a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General this week.
"Most British Columbians are following public health orders, and that's what will help us get case numbers back down," said Port Coquitlam MLA and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth in a written statement Tuesday.
"Having said that, we're continuing to use enforcement and fines for those who insist on putting lives at risk by ignoring orders. We continue to strengthen the tools officials need to keep people safe, and we won't hesitate to use them."
On Thursday, Jan. 7, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry extended province-wide public health orders banning public gatherings until Feb. 5 at midnight.
COVID-19 FINES UP
Between Aug. 21, 2020, and Jan. 1, 2021, $388,700 in fines were handed out across B.C., including:
- 103 $2,300 tickets for breaching orders around gatherings and social events;
- 21 $2,300 tickets for flouting the Public Health Office’s Food and Liquor Serving Premises order;
- And 450 $230 tickets to individuals who refused to comply with direction from law enforcement.
