VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — B.C.’s public safety minister has provided an update on the stepped-up enforcement of COVID-19 rules in the province.
In the first week fines were introduced, Mike Farnworth says 10 violation tickets were issued between Aug. 21 to Aug 28, including six $2,000 fines against party organizers and fines for four individuals worth $200 each.
The first week of stepped up #COVID19 enforcement in #BC has led to almost $13-thousand fines.@mikefarnworthbc says 10 violation tickets issued since August 21st include 6 $2000 and 4 $200 fines.
He adds he hopes stronger penalties make more people behave. #bcpoli @NEWS1130— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) September 2, 2020
Farnworth says he hopes stronger enforcement measures will make more people follow public health orders.
“It’s disappointing to see behaviour that shows a blatant disregard for the safety of citizens. It’s time to stop breaking the rules,” he said in a release. “It’s time to do better. It’s my hope that these enforcement measures will result in a change in behaviour and fewer violation tickets will be needed in the future.”
Organizers of parties and events that violate public health orders can be fined $2,000.
Individuals can be fined $200 for disobeying the province’s COVID-19 rules, actively encourging events that break those orders, and refusing to disperse when instructed to do so.
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A party host in Victoria was fined at the end of August for violating coronavirus health orders. Police ended up at the same apartment for a second the same weekend, again issuing fines.
A Richmond sports centre was also fined last month for not complying with physical distancing orders. Four businesses in Surrey were slapped with fines too for repeated violations of COVID-19 health orders.
The Public Safety Minister is providing that update the same day he extends #BC‘s longest-running state of emergency two more weeks.
It’s been in effect since March 18th. #bcpoli #COVID19 @NEWS1130— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) September 2, 2020
Meanwhile, B.C. has extended its state of emergency for another two weeks. It’s been in effect since Mar. 18.
