Friday, March 29, 2024

Police will make home visits to enforce Quarantine Act for travellers returning to Canada

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RCMP have been asked to verify that travellers returning to Canada from other countries are complying with the federal order for them to isolate for 14 days upon return.

According to a statement from RCMP on Friday, police detachments across Canada have been asked “for assistance in the coordination and enforcement” of the order by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

The agency requires physical proof that those who have been ordered to self isolate at home for 14 days are doing so, and have authorized police agencies to provide this verification.

“These checks will generally be limited to persons who, after PHAC has done initial verifications by phone, text or e-mail, may require a physical verification by police,” reads a statement from RCMP.

During the visit, police will attempt to verify that the individual is inside their home while maintaining physical distancing themselves.

See also: Travellers returning to B.C. will be required to explain their self isolation plan: Horgan (UPDATED)

The first approach for officers enforcing the Quarantine Act will be focused on “education and encouragement,” according to RCMP.

“Our officers will speak to the person, inform them of the law and explain the importance of compliance, as well as the potential consequences of non-compliance.”

Those who are found not complying with the order could receive a fine up to $750,000 or six months in jail. Anyone who causes a “risk of imminent death or serious bodily harm” to another person while in non-compliance of the order could be fined up to $1,000,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both.

Instead of being taken into custody, those found in contravention of the law can be issued a court appearance notice or summons instead of being taken into custody, as a physical arrest could put others in danger of being exposed to COVID-19.

However police say arrests would be made as a last resort.

“Choosing to ignore mandatory isolation and quarantine orders is not only against the law, it’s also putting citizens, first responders, health professionals and the most vulnerable at risk of exposure to the virus,” said Brenda Lucki, RCMP Commissioner.

“Collectively, everyone in Canada has a role to play to ensure compliance with isolation and physical distancing measures.”

The federal government issued a 14-day self isolation order through the Quarantine Act on March 25th after determining that international travellers played a major role in spreading the virus in Canada.

On Wednesday, British Columbia Premier John Horgan announced that travellers returning to B.C. through Vancouver International Airport or at land crossings between the Canada-U.S. border will be required to have a self isolation plan in place upon arrival.

Snowbirds and people coming back to B.C. on repatriation flights will be met with federal or provincial officials and required to fill out a form explaining how they plan to self isolate.

Those who do not have a self isolation plan will be placed into a mandatory quarantine facility for 14 days or until they are able to come up with a plan.

There is currently no information about where quarantine facilities will be set up for people who do not have a self isolation plan in place. The Ministry of Health will be partnering with the province to oversee these quarantine facilities.


See all the latest updates about the global COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island


The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.

Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.

The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19  line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.

As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 1,666,997.

Over 100,400 people have died from the illness and 370,001 have made a full recovery.

 

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Brishti Basu
Former Senior Staff Writer and Content Manager at Victoria Buzz.

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