Self-isolation scofflaws targeted
Police have responded to dozens of calls but not laid charges yet
Regina police Chief Evan Bray says there was no warning that police would be expected to enforce a public health order (PHO) mandating international travellers to self-isolate for 14 days upon returning to the city.
“While we weren’t given a heads up it was coming I also know that’s almost impossible to do that when you’re making decisions in a quickly unfolding emergency,” said Bray on Monday.
He said the Regina Police Service (RPS) has responded to roughly 50 to 60 instances of people or businesses breaking the PHO since it came into effect on Friday.
In each case no arrests were made and no fines issued as police were able to get compliance each time.
“A lot of times it’s just people not understanding the direction,” said Bray. “In every case they’ve said, apologetically, ‘sorry, I thought it was OK I went to the store. I will stay home.’”
Bray hopes officers don’t have to lay charges or arrest those disobeying the order but communication appears to be an issue as some travellers are completely oblivious to the measures brought in by the province.
“We need to essentially shout it from the rooftops to make sure everybody understands the order. It is a legal order. There is no wiggle room in it. It is an order that is enforceable by law,” said Bray.
The chief said the preference was to communicate and convince rather than fine and arrest. But if police received a report that someone was COVID-19 positive and out in the community, the response would be immediate.
“Out of the community, or into custody, get them into isolation if we needed to. We haven’t had that happen,” he said.
Enforcement relies on people alerting the police to those breaking the PHO.
Bray said the ultimatum of a fine and arrest is not an attempt to encroach on civil liberties as the PHO is now law.
“Follow the law which includes a new order which is a lawful order from the province.”
The RCMP in the province has also received a number of calls for service regarding the COVID-19 PHO.
In an emailed statement RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Rob King said service delivery remains unchanged, and that so far no one has been fined for disobeying the order.
“We are working closely with Saskatchewan Health Authorities to investigate calls for service that violate the PHO. To date, there have been no charges, fines or arrests,” said King in an emailed statement.
The RPS also responded to a house party on the weekend with some 30 guests in attendance.
As the PHO extends to limiting the number of people gathered in any area, Bray said there’s a possibility that the host could face a fine.
“I don’t know the cause for celebration,” said Bray.
“There are some people not taking this seriously.”