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By Kevin Rothwell
Thousands in fines

Over 650 COVID related tickets issued in B.C.

Jan 5, 2021 | 4:43 PM

Law enforcement and other agencies have handed out nearly $474,000 in tickets for violations of public health orders (PHO) and the quarantine act from late August through the end of 2021.

B.C. is extending the provincial state of emergency, allowing health and emergency management officials to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act (EPA).

The state of emergency is extended through the end of the day on Jan. 19, 2021.

“There’s hope on the horizon for the new year with vaccines beginning, but I want to caution everyone to keep following public health orders,” Premier John Horgan said. “British Columbians have been working hard to flatten the curve, and to do that, we can’t let up too soon. We need everyone to hang in there and continue to do what they need to do to keep case numbers low.”

On Dec. 16, 2020, the provincial announced enhanced enforcement measures this included strengthening COVID-19 fine-collection measures using ICBC 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.

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Between Aug. 21, 2020, and Jan. 1, 2021, 574 violation tickets were issued, including 103 $2,300 tickets to owners or organizers contravening the PHO’s order on gatherings and events, 21 $2,300 violation tickets for contravention of the PHO Food and Liquor Serving Premises Order and 450 $230 tickets issued to individuals who refused to comply with direction from law enforcement.

Police have also issued 77 violation tickets to individuals who were in contravention of the federal Quarantine Act, totalling $84,266.25. Those violations are primarily to individuals who refused to quarantine for the mandatory 14 days when returning to Canada or testing positive for the virus.

The province has a list of violations and related fines posted here.

by Kevin Rothwell
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