An Oak Bay man has been fined $1,150 in what is believed to be Vancouver Island’s first ticket for violating the terms of a quarantine.
Oak Bay police said they received a number of reports about the man, who is in his early 40s, claiming that he had failed to quarantine after an international trip.
Under the federal Quarantine Act, anyone entering Canada is required to self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of whether they have COVID-19 symptoms.
The man had returned to Vancouver Island from another country, and though he was not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, did not quarantine as required, said Sgt. Manny Montero.
The detachment received a complaint within a few days of the man’s return. An investigation took place “quite quickly” and was completed within the past week or so, Montero said. Oak Bay police have not received any further complaints about the man, he added.
Montero did not know why the man had been out of the country or where he had been. Though some travellers are exempt from the mandatory quarantine if they perform an essential job, the man did not meet the criteria, he said.
Oak Bay police worked with the Canada Border Services Agency and the Public Health Agency of Canada in the investigation. Montero said the officer who looked after the case contacted other jurisdictions, and discovered that only police departments on the Lower Mainland had written such tickets.
“This is the first one that I am aware of the Island,” he said. “Our officer determined that [the man] had breached his quarantine order, and we contacted the health authority to confirm the information.”
Montero said the Oak Bay man was fined $1,000, plus a 15 per cent victim surcharge. He called the man’s behaviour during the investigation, even after being handed a ticket for $1,150, disconcerting.
“It seems like there was a cavalier attitude about the fact that this person didn’t wish to comply,” he said. “Quite frankly, his attitude afterward seemed quite cavalier, as well.”
The man has the option to contest the ticket, and if he does, the matter will go to court.
The Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of 76 tickets issued and eight summons between March 25 and Oct. 19 reported by police departments across the country, but said the number could be higher.
The Quarantine Act is meant to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases. Immediately after entering Canada, travellers are required to meet with a screening officer and disclose the location of their quarantine.
A priority level is assigned to returning travellers based on information gathered at the border, or during check-in calls during a mandatory quarantine period, said a spokesperson for the federal agency.
The agency calls on local police to verify in person that someone is following quarantine for cases deemed medium and high priority. From March 25 to Oct. 19, the agency referred 247,137 cases to police.
It’s up to local officers to decide how to enforce the Quarantine Act. Officers can choose to issue verbal or written warnings, tickets or jail time.
Police can issue tickets of $275 to $1,000. More serious offences could lead to up to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to $750,000. Those who break a mandatory quarantine or isolation, resulting in death or serious bodily harm to another person, could face a fine of up to $1 million and/or imprisonment of up to three years.
“If you are uncertain as to what your responsibilities are as a traveller, you can contact your local health authority for the most up-to-date information,” Montero said. “It is your responsibility to to ensure that you have the latest information.”
