Americans travelling through B.C. fined $1,000 for breaking COVID-19 rules
Posted October 6, 2020 6:27 pm.
Last Updated October 6, 2020 6:46 pm.
FORT ST. JOHN (NEWS 1130) — A trip to Alaska ended up costing three Americans an extra $1,000 each.
Since stronger border control measures took effect at the end of July, 17 tickets have been issued.
Of those tickets, three belong to a group of men from Washington state making their way to Alaska through Fort St. John.
BC RCMP Staff Sergeant Janelle Shoihet explains while the three didn’t lie about heading to Alaska, they did choose to eat inside a restaurant when stopping in Fort St. John overnight.
“They were aware they were required to follow these guidelines which included wearing a suitable mask, avoiding contact with others,” she says.
“An employee recognized they were driving a vehicle that was US-plated, had concern for the people that were in the restaurant and reported it.”
She adds most Alaska-bound drivers are following the rules, but 17 fines have been issued since stronger enforcement took effect at the end of July.
It's not clear if all those tickets have been paid because the last recorded violation was September 22nd. @GovCanHealth @NEWS1130— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) October 6, 2020
The men were found in the local area restaurant Aug. 31 and were in contact with two Canadians. Those Canadians were asked to self isolate for 14 days and finished their quarantine in mid-September.
Shoihet adds the men were allowed to continue on to Alaska but it’s not clear if all of them have paid the fine.
The last recorded COVID-19 violation was Sept. 22.
