Premier Jason Kenney put the province's legal foot down on Wednesday, announcing substantial fines to individuals who do not follow public health mandates (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By Shaun Penner

Public Health Enforcement

Albertans face heavy fines for violating public health orders

Mar 25, 2020 | 4:12 PM

Premier Jason Kenney says too many people aren’t getting the message when it comes to practicing proper social distancing and self-isolation, which is why the provincial government is bringing in legislation that will allow law enforcement agencies to issue tickets and fines to those who do not adhere to public health orders.

Fines of up to $1,000 can now be issued by peace officers and RCMP members and could be given to those individuals who have a legal requirement to self-isolate. That includes those who have tested positive for COVID-19, close contacts of those who have tested positive, those who have returned to Canada from abroad and anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough, fever, sore throat or runny nose.

Kenney said during Wednesday’s COVID-19 update that they are going to be working with municipalities in granting those same powers to bylaw officers.

“We must do everything we can to protect Albertans through this pandemic,” said Kenney. “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.”

“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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Courts will also have the ability to administer fines of up to $100,000 for a first offence and up to $500,000 for a subsequent offence for more serious violations. These new fines will be in force over the coming days.

The full list of public health orders that could lead to a fine, should they not be followed, are:

• Any individual who has travelled outside of Canada must go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from their return, plus an additional 10 days from the onset of any symptoms should they occur, whichever is longer.
• Any individual who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms must self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the start of their symptoms, or until the symptoms resolve, whichever is longer. Symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, or a sore throat.
• Any individual who has been identified by as a close contact of a person(s) with COVID-19 must go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from the date of last having been exposed to COVID-19, plus an additional 10 days from the onset of any symptoms should they occur, whichever is longer.
• Mass gatherings must be limited to no more than 50 attendees.
• 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.

The legal amendments have been made to the Procedures Regulation under the Provincial Offences Procedures Act,

“These new enforcement measures are a reasonable, prudent, but necessary response to the escalating COVID-19 outbreak in Alberta,” said Kenney. “Right now, we must use every tool available to ensure public safety.”

The province says it and Alberta Health Services are working with local enforcement agencies to manage complaints, which can be submitted online.

Sixty-one new cases of COVID-19 were announced in Alberta on Wednesday, bringing the provincial total to 419. The North Zone added three new cases, raising the zone total to 23 confirmed cases.

No confirmed cases were added in the Peace Region on Wednesday.