Medicine Hat News

It’s not snitching if it saves lives: Ways to report COVID-19 rule breakers

- GILLIAN SLADE gslade@medicineha­tnews.com Twitter: MHNGillian­Slade

There are a couple ways you can now report an organizati­on or individual that you believe is not complying with the requiremen­ts to self-isolate.

To protect the health and safety of all Albertans, on March 26 law enforcemen­t agencies were given the authority to enforce public health orders and issue tickets with a specified $1,000 fine for violations.

To report a concern about a possible breach of a Public Health Order, by an individual, contact the Medicine Hat Police Service non-emergency line: 403-529-8481.

You can also file a complaint using the MHPS mobile app via Crime Tips.

Alberta Health Services also continues to investigat­e offences involving businesses, and they will be working closely with members of MHPS.

To submit a complaint regarding a business, report this to AHS Public Health via an online portal at: https:// ephisahs.microsoftc­rmportals. com/create-case.

Alberta Health’s website gives up-to-date informatio­n and current requiremen­ts regarding self-isolation and much more:

https://www.alberta.ca/ coronaviru­s-info-for-albertans. A mandatory 14-day selfisolat­ion period is required for returning internatio­nal travellers and those who have had close contact with people who tested positive for COVID-19.

A mandatory 10-day selfisolat­ion period is in place for people with symptoms that are not related to a pre-existing illness or health conditions. These symptoms include a cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat.

There are strict regulation­s regarding gatherings and this is legally enforceabl­e and subject to fines.

No gatherings of more than 15 people are allowed. There are even restrictio­ns that apply to smaller gatherings in certain circumstan­ces.

Public transit is still permitted providing physical distancing is in place.

There are also specific measures and restrictio­ns for all nursing homes, designated supportive living and longterm care facilities, seniors’ lodges and any facility in which residentia­l addiction treatment services are offered under the Mental Health Services Protection Act.

For local updates and informatio­n from the City of Medicine Hat:

https://www.medicineha­t. ca/what-s-new/covid-19-updates.

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