Lack of COVID consequences frustrates law-abiding Albertans

Albertans are voicing frustration at neighbours and businesses who blatantly break public health restrictions with few to no consequences a year into the COVID -19 pandemic.

Alberta has been navigating the global pandemic with various levels of public health restrictions that have various businesses opening and closing over the past 13 months. People have faced rules on gatherings, restaurant dining and where they need to wear masks, among other things.

Glori Meldrum, who lives in Edmonton, said neighbours have held several large gatherings over the past few weeks, with nearly a dozen vehicles parked outside each time, despite current rules prohibiting indoor gatherings. She said she has filed complaints but has yet to see any enforcement of the government-mandated regulations.

“It's frustrating,” Meldrum said. “I couldn't believe it when it was in my own backyard, and nobody would do anything.”

She said she initially called police to complain but was told it was a provincial issue, so she reached out to Alberta Health Services and eventually filled out an online submission.

She said it's frustrating to see gathering limits and wearing masks become divisive issues, with the rules flouted by some people while friends of hers wait for surgeries that were postponed due to the pandemic.

Alberta's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, has said several times that public health orders are enforced by local law enforcement or public health inspectors. Police have the authority to issue fines, but Alberta RCMP have previously said only that health inspectors have the authority to close a business.

AHS is aware that some Albertans are openly defying health restrictions, spokesman Kerry Williamson said, but believes the majority of people follow them closely.

“Our public health inspectors and teams have been working hard for more than a year now to educate and, when appropriate, enforce compliance,” Williamson said.

“The demands on our teams have grown significantly since the beginning of the pandemic.”

Williamson said he understands restrictions are difficult at times and COVID-19 fatigue has set in among many, but he implored Albertans to continue to follow the rules.

Meldrum said the educational approach hasn't worked, citing the rise in positive cases in recent weeks.

AHS spokesman Tom Mcmillan said people who violate health restrictions could be fined $1,000.

“Additionally, you can be prosecuted for up to $100,000 for a first offence and additional measures, including closures, can occur,” Mcmillan said.

The AHS website shows seven active work orders against businesses in the Edmonton Zone and one active closure order.

This past week, AHS enforced that closure order at Gracelife Church in Parkland County by erecting fencing around the building.

Despite the order issued in January, the congregation at Gracelife was seen multiple times gathering in large groups without wearing masks or physically distancing from each another.