Albertans who don’t self-isolate face fines
Albertans who refuse to follow government-imposed restrictions related to the COVID -19 pandemic could face fines of as much as $500,000, Premier Jason Kenney announced Wednesday.
Police and community peace officers now have the authority to issue tickets to enforce provincial health orders.
Fines will apply to those violating guidelines including not adhering to self-isolation requirements and participating or holding a mass gathering of 50 or more people.
As well, businesses such as bars, nightclubs or child care facilities that have not followed orders to close will be subject to the fines.
“The overwhelming majority of Albertans have been very responsible and civic-minded in responding to this crisis. Most of us understand that we all have a role to play in limiting the spread of this disease,” Kenney said. “But, sadly, not everyone seems to get it.
“This step is essential to protect the health and safety of Albertans. . . . When life returns to normal, we will no longer require these kinds of extraordinary powers but, right now, we must use every tool available to ensure public safety.”
Albertans who disregard the orders could be fined $1,000, Kenney said. Courts will also be able to impose fines as high as $100,000 for the first offence, reaching $500,000 for subsequent offences or more significant offences.
The announcement followed the federal government invoking the Quarantine Act on Wednesday to make self-isolating for 14 days mandatory for all travellers returning to Canada, with the exception of some workers deemed essential.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Canada Border Services Agency officers will begin informing returning travellers that isolation is mandatory and they are not allowed to use public transit or stop anywhere on their way to their home.
Violators could face a fine of up to $1 million and a maximum of three years in prison.
Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said it’s vital orders are followed to minimize the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Even celebrations surrounding major religious holidays coming up in April, including Easter and Ramadan, will need to be significantly altered, she said.
“Now is not the time to plan any travel, even to other cities or provinces, or to attend large family gatherings or dinners,” she said. “We must maintain social distancing practices even when we are together with family.
“Now is not the time to visit grandparents for Sunday dinner. Now is not the time to host or attend a potluck with friends. Now is not the time to plan for a family reunion. This is the time to stay home and work together to limit the spread.”
Seniors’ facility restrictions expanded as 61 new cases confirmed
Wednesday also saw 61 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Alberta, bringing the total confirmed cases in the province to 419, Hinshaw announced.
As many as 33 of the total cases are from community transmission — five more than were reported Tuesday.
Of the 419 cases, 20 required hospitalization and eight patients are receiving treatment in intensive-care units.
“These are significant case numbers and they underscore the seriousness of the situation we face,” Hinshaw said.
Additionally, Hinshaw announced more harsh regulations for nursing homes, designated supportive living spaces, longterm-care facilities, places where addiction services are offered and licensed facilities for those with disabilities.
The rules include enhanced cleaning protocols, limitations on common areas and mandatory health screening for all staff, residents and visitors.
The new limitations will follow ones rolled out last week, which restrict each resident to a lone visitor who must be screened before entering the facility. Limited exceptions are in place for residents who are dying.
They follow the first death of a Calgarian from the novel coronavirus.
A woman in her 80s who was a resident of the Mckenzie Towne Continuing Care Centre died Monday. She is the second Albertan to die from COVID-19.
One staff member and four other residents of the seniors’ facility have also tested positive for COVID-19. According to the centre, 19 of its residents are now in isolation with respiratory illnesses or symptoms.
The care centre currently has 144 residents who are potentially affected. The average age of residents at the facility is 82. It’s unknown how the virus was first introduced to the centre.
Additionally, two more longterm-care centres now have confirmed cases of COVID-19, both in Edmonton. Two cases have been confirmed at the Shepherd’s Care Foundation (Kensington Village), while one is confirmed at the Rosedale on the Park assisted-living facility.
Another new outbreak was detected Tuesday night at an adult group home for people with developmental disabilities, Hinshaw said.
In total, 250 of the confirmed COVID-19 cases are in the Alberta Health Services Calgary zone (60 per cent), while 100 are in the Edmonton zone (24 per cent). The area of the province with the most confirmed cases is Calgary’s upper northwest, with 35 cases.
In Alberta, 35,089 people have been tested for COVID-19. Just more than one per cent of tests have come back positive. Kenney said Wednesday that Alberta ranks fourth worldwide in per-capita testing.
On Monday, AHS began using a new testing criteria that shifts priority away from returned travellers and toward those deemed to be at highest risk of exposure, including those in hospital with a respiratory illness, those in continuing-care facilities and healthcare workers with respiratory symptoms.
Earlier Wednesday, the federal government approved an emergency federal bill to give the government billions of dollars to spend to help anxious workers, families and employers cope with COVID-19.
The bill allows the federal government up to $52 billion in funds to directly help Canadians, including a repackaged aid program for workers who can’t work for almost any reason connected to the virus. That program will offer $2,000 a month in direct support through the Canada Revenue Agency.
The Alberta government’s payments of $1,146 — for those who are required to self-isolate and have no other source of income, or are a sole caregiver of a dependent in isolation — are now available on the province’s website.