UPDATE B.C. government announces new $2,000 fine for COVID-19 violators

Aug 21, 2020 | 10:04 AM

UPDATE 10 a.m.

The B.C government is getting tough on people who ignore the health and safety guidelines for Covid-19.

Public safety minister Mike Farnworth said a “small minority of selfish individuals” are breaking the rules, putting other residents at risk.

“The province is enabling police and other enforcement officers to issue $2,000 violation tickets to owners or organizers for contraventions of the provincial health officer’s order on gatherings or events. This includes violations such as hosting or organizing a gathering or event in excess of 50 people, not keeping a list and contact information of everyone who attends an event, or hosting more than five guests at a vacation accommodation such as an airbnb,” stated Farnworth at a Friday morning media teleconference.

Farnworth said the the tickets will be issued to owners and organizers where unsafe events take place, and they will also target problematic attendees and individuals.

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Those people can be issued $200 violation tickets for actively encouraging large gatherings or events, or refusing to disperse when directed to do so.

Those refusing to follow the safe operating plans of businesses or engaging in abusive behaviour towards employees can also be assessed a $200 ticket.

“We want to get the message out that there will be consequences for not following the guidelines,” said Farnworth.

He said people wanting to make complaints about suspected violations should contact their local government bylaw office.

5 a.m. Aug. 21

Stronger actions to enforce public health measures are expected to be announced today in British Columbia as the number of active cases of COVID-19 rises.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth is scheduled to give an update about compliance and enforcement measures under the province’s ongoing state of emergency to combat the illness.

Farnworth said on Tuesday he would bring in new measures to address the behaviour of people whose actions “demonstrate their indifference to the health and safety of others.”

At the same time, Premier John Horgan said people in B.C. have sacrificed to keep transmission of the illness low, and unsafe parties and gatherings are eroding that hard work.

He said the provincial government is committed to getting B.C. back on track and will announce enforcement action against people who continue to put others at risk.

B.C. reported 80 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the total number of active cases to 780, including 11 people in hospital.

There were two new deaths. That brings the number of people have died in B.C. after contracting the illness to 200.

Deputy provincial health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson said public health workers are monitoring 2,574 people as a result of possible exposure to COVID-19.

She said one of the reasons the number of people in self-isolation would increase is if infected individuals spent time in gatherings.

The majority of the latest cases are still being detected in younger adults, she told a news briefing, but there have been small increases in infections among older people too.

(Files from The Canadian Press)

by Pete McIntyre & Canadian Press

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