EMO: Don’t call 911 over non self-isolation issues
NEW GLASGOW, N.S. – Nova Scotians should not call 911 if they are reporting someone who they believe is not self-isolating or social distancing during COVID-19 crisis.
John Davison, regional Emergency Management Organization coordinator, said Pictou County residents have been calling 911 to report people who are not following the provincial government’s state of emergency laws put in place Sunday because of the coronavirus crisis, but this is a misuse of the emergency service.
“911 is for reporting emergencies or life-threatening situations,” he said. “If you want to report someone for not following the rules of the state of emergency, you can do this by calling the police station directly.”
Law enforcement enforce orders under the Emergency Management Act and Health Protection Act. If a person is aware of someone not following provincial direction, they are urged to have a conversation with them first – they may need help. If a call to police is needed, call a nonemergency
number for the police that serve your community. Do not call 911. Non-emergency police phone
numbers: (All are 24-hour service)
• Pictou Detachment RCMP: (902) 485-4333
• Stellarton Detachment RCMP: (902) 755-4141
• New Glasgow Regional Police: (902) 752-1941
• Westville Police: (902) 396-2777
• Stellarton Police: (902) 752-6160 On March 22, the Province of Nova Scotia declared a state of emergency to help contain the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency will be in effect for 14 days and may be renewed. The emergency order is valid until noon on April 5, 2020. Nova Scotians should not leave the province and only leave home for essential items and services. Under the state of emergency:
• Nova Scotia borders will tighten to travellers and all entry points (land, sea, air) will be closely managed. Anyone entering the province will be stopped, questioned, and told to self-isolate for 14 days. Exemptions for cross-border travel include healthy workers in trades and transportations sectors who move goods and people (e.g. truck drivers); healthy people going to work (e.g. health-care workers); and people travelling into the province for essential health services (e.g. chemotherapy treatment).
• Provincial parks, beaches, and tourist attractions are closed. Provincial trails will remain open for exercise. Gathering limits and social distancing guidelines must be followed.
• Police are authorized to enforce orders under the Health Protection Act. If Nova Scotians and businesses do not practice social distancing and self-isolation, they will face fines of $1,000 for individuals and $7,500 for businesses. Multiple fines can be given each day an individual or business fails to comply. Police can also enforce offences under the Emergency Management Act. For example, fines for charging higher than fair market prices for goods and services.
• There are several groups who are essential and exempt from gathering limits. They include but are not limited to grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies. If possible, one person per family should be designated to do these tasks. Other groups include construction sites, health-care services, community services (e.g. child protection) and criminal justice services, and law enforcement.