National Post (National Edition)
Snowbird shoppers cause virus alarm
BROCKVILLE, ONT. • A flock of homeward-bound snowbirds landed in this eastern Ontario city on the weekend, settled overnight in the Walmart parking lot, and proceeded to shop in defiance of government directives that they self-isolate for 14 days, multiple witnesses report.
The actions of the returning Canadians struck fear and concern among store employees, fuelled angry social-media posts by residents, tested the patience of politicians and even prompted area municipal officials to patrol the parking lots.
On Saturday evening, more than 20 recreational vehicles, the majority with Quebec plates, parked in the Walmart parking lot, stayed overnight, and left Sunday morning. On Sunday night the count was 14 RVs, again predominantly Quebecers.
The snowbirds were returning from wintering in the United States, apparently spurred to return home before the border closed to non-essential traffic because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But while heeding the call to return, many of the snowbirds ignored a recommendation to go straight home and stay there for 14 days.
Brockville Police say they are not breaking any law by refusing to self-isolate so police are powerless to force them to do so.
The parking lots used by the RVs are private property but police officers are willing to help enforce a parking ban if asked by the stores.
“We are working with local business to ask them to assist by not permitting overnight camping and screening people before they enter the store,” police said. “If they wish us to police their lots at night, we will certainly assist.”
Local provincial politician and cabinet minister Steve Clark said he was disturbed to see the “travellers irresponsibly stopping to shop locally.”
“I’m working with officials to stop this serious problem that puts people at risk,” Clark said in a statement to constituents. “My message to those coming back to Canada is simple: Go straight home and stay there for 14 days.”
Mayor Jason Baker drafted a note to the travellers that welcomed them to Brockville and reminded them of the advice to go into isolation.
“We are happy to offer you a chance to rest as you are travelling home and need a break,” his notice reads. “We hope you respect the need to remain in isolation for the next 14 days. If you need supplies from these stores please place this form under your windshield wiper and we will try to help.”
Baker also had a message for Brockville residents, asking them to be tolerant.
“Together we can be a welcoming safe haven for our countrymen or we can be a community who turns people away. I know which community I want to lead.”
Two local council members took a more direct approach. Coun. Tom Linton, later aided by Mayor Brant Burrow, approached the RVers and informed them of the need to stay out of the stores.
Linton was passing the Walmart on Saturday evening when he estimated about 20 RVs in the parking lot. Burrow also went by and counted 22 in all.
Early the next morning, Linton was in the adjacent parking lot of the Real Canadian Superstore, where his daughter works. Senior citizens, some with canes and walkers, were lining up to enter the store when it opened
IF THEY WISH US TO POLICE THEIR LOTS AT NIGHT, WE WILL … ASSIST
for a special seniors’ shopping hour at 7 a.m., Linton said.
To his astonishment, an RV with Quebec plates peeled out of the Walmart parking lot and stopped in front of the Superstore. A woman got out and stood behind the 15 to 20 seniors in line, he said.
Linton said he pulled his vehicle up to the woman and asked if she had just returned from the U.S. The woman admitted she had.
“I told her that she shouldn’t be standing in that line. You’re putting those people at risk and you’re putting my daughter, who works there, at risk,” Linton said he told the woman, who eventually left.
On Monday morning, Linton, accompanied by Burrow, was back in the Walmart parking lot and they managed to persuade all of the people in the 14 RVs to stay out of the store, they said.
Burrow called the managers of major stores in Brockville to notify them of the problem.
Burrow said he was talking with Baker to work up a schedule of some Brockville councillors to supplement Linton’s and his efforts in the Walmart parking lot. (Baker, who is self-isolating, can’t be there himself.)
Every new group of RVers returning to Canada will have to be educated because “some people just don’t seem to get it,” Burrow said.