Qualicum Beach couple challenges $11,400 in COVID-test fines

A Qualicum Beach couple who were each fined $5,700 for violating cross-border COVID-19 testing rules hope a judge will sympathize with their predicament.

Charles and Susan Lee are scheduled for a virtual court appearance on Thursday to enter a plea. They haven't yet decided how to handle the matter and have not retained a lawyer.

In November, the couple drove south to Indio, Calif., a favourite holiday spot, Charles Lee said.

In January, on the way home, they stopped in Fresno for PCR tests and were told results would be available in 24-48 hours. They carried on to the Peace Arch border crossing, where they planned to enter Canada. But the Fresno test results didn't come in as promised.

They spoke with a Canada Border Services official and then with a Health Canada representative at the crossing, Lee said.

Their options were to wait in Washington state for the results of the Fresno tests or get another PCR test. They were warned it could take a week to 10 days to get a test.

Lee, 70, said wife Susan, 72, suffered stomach pains and they were keen to get home to access Canadian health care. They crossed the border back into Canada without test results, receiving fines they have decided to dispute.

After returning to Qualicum Beach, the Fresno test results arrived. They were negative.

Meanwhile, Susan Lee spent five days in hospital with pancreatitis.