EDMONTON — Premier Jason Kenney announced further measures to keep people in line when it comes to self-isolating and social distancing.
Premier Kenney said they will now be working with bylaw officers and police to hand out tickets to those who aren’t obeying the rules of isolating.
“We must do everything we can to protect Albertans through this pandemic. While the vast majority of Albertans are doing their part to flatten the curve by self-isolating, practising physical distancing or helping those who are self-isolating, some are not,” Premier Kenney said. “Self-isolation orders are not suggestions or guidelines – they are now the law and they must be followed. Anyone putting their families, their neighbours, or other Albertans at risk will face consequences.”
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The new enforcement rules from the Alberta government follow a mandatory 14-day isolation period set out by the federal government for those returning to Canada.
READ MORE: Mandatory 14-day isolation for travellers returning to Canada amid COVID-19 pandemic
Fines for those disobeying self-isolation orders could receive a fine of up to $1,000.
Alberta courts now also have the power to hand out fines of up to $100,000 for first offenders and up to $500,00 for a subsequent offence for more serious violations.
Though, Tyler Shandro confirmed the larger fines are aimed more at businesses and those who could disobey self-isolation and social distancing rules at a larger scale.
These new fines are expected to come into effect in the coming days.
This comes as Alberta’s total number of cases rises to 419, a 61 case increase from Tuesday.
Of all confirmed cases, 33 of them are believed to have come from community transmission.
Hinshaw speaking: says 33 cases may be community transmission.
20 cases hospitalized, 8 in ICU.
Late Tuesday, they learned of a breakout of group home at facility for adults with developmental disabilities.
AND… now four total long-term care facilities with cases.
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 25, 2020
In positive news, Alberta remains one of those top locations in the world for testing. Jason Kenney saying the province currently ranks fourth in the world in tests per-capita.
Alberta now has conducted over 35,000 tests.
Calgary now at 250 positive cases, Edmonton reaching 100. #yeg #yyc #ableg #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/8eLpgBefwl
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 25, 2020
As per the Government of Alberta, those who are at risk of receiving a fine include:
- Any person who has travelled outside of Canada and failed to self-isolate for 14 days from their return
- Any person who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms and fails to self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the start of their symptoms
- Any person who has been identified as a close contact of a person(s) with COVID-19and fails to go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from the date of last having been exposed to COVID-19
- Mass gatherings that have over 50 people
Some further limitations handed down on Wednesday include:
- Access to public recreational facilities, private entertainment facilities, bars and nightclubs is prohibited.
- Visitation to long-term care and other continuing care facilities is limited to essential visitors only.
