Photo Credit: EverythingGP stock photo

By Shane Clausing

fines issued

Grande Prairie RCMP issue six tickets to area residents for violating COVID-19 quarantine rules

Dec 29, 2020 | 2:30 PM

The Grande Prairie RCMP tells EverythingGP that throughout the month of December, officers have charged a total of six area residents for violating the provinces mandatory COVID-19 isolation rules.

In Alberta, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days, regardless if they have symptoms or not.

Candace Hrdlicka with the Grande Prairie RCMP says they were able to catch these people thanks to help from the public.

“The six charges that have been laid have been following complaints we’ve received of people who’ve been issued mandatory isolation following a positive COVID result.,” said Hrdlicka.

“When they’ve been found in violation of that, our first avenue is always to educate and encourage compliance with that provincial health order. However, for those who continue to violate those health orders, we have laid charges.”

Those that are caught breaking the COVID-19 isolation rules will face a fine of up to $1,000.

The fine also applies to those that are hosting or attending large social gatherings.

While there have been residents in the Grande Prairie area who have been caught breaking the mandatory quarantine law, Hrdlicka says that so far, they haven’t had to issue any tickets in regard to social gatherings.

“Through December we have been called to investigate large gatherings in both private residences on private property, as well as large gatherings in public spaces and calls from businesses of people not wearing masks inside those businesses,” said Hrdlicka.

“We haven’t laid any of those charges following any of those calls, as our first goal is to always educate and encourage compliance with the Public Health Act.”