Medicine Hat’s COVID-19 cases doubles to four

Much like the federal government has done, Alberta is stepping up its fight to contain the spread of the virus. The province has given law enforcement the authority to issue tickets to enforce COVID-19 public health orders.

“Today we are moving from asking people to act responsibly to instead using the full force of the law to legally require that people act responsibly to protect public health,” the premier said.

Public health orders subject to fines for violation include:

Any individual who has travelled outside of Canada must go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from their return, plus an additional 10 days from the onset of any symptoms should they occur, whichever is longer.
Any individual who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms must self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the start of their symptoms, or until the symptoms resolve, whichever is longer. Symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, or a sore throat.
Any individual who has been identified by as a close contact of a person(s) with COVID-19 must go into mandatory self-isolation for 14 days from the date of last having been exposed to COVID-19, plus an additional 10 days from the onset of any symptoms should they occur, whichever is longer.
Mass gatherings must be limited to no more than 50 attendees.
Access to public recreational facilities, private entertainment facilities, bars and nightclubs is prohibited.
Visitation to long-term care and other continuing care facilities is limited to essential visitors only.

Fines now administered through tickets for violating an order have increased from up to $100 per day to a prescribed fine of $1,000 per occurrence.

Courts will also have increased powers to administer fines of up to $100,000 for a first offence and up to $500,000 for a subsequent offence for more serious violations. These new fines will be in force over the coming days.

“These new enforcement measures are a reasonable, prudent but necessary response to the escalating COVID-19 outbreak in Alberta,” said Kenney.

The powers are being enforced through a ministerial order under the public health emergency declaration. Kenney said the measures will be brought to the legislature in the near future to seek to make the necessary amendments on a permanent basis.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said that up to 33 of the total number of cases are suspected to be a result of community transmission, up five from yesterday. Twenty individuals are hospitalized, eight of whom are in the ICU.

On the government’s decision to make public health orders enforceable by law, Hinshaw said the step is essential to protect the health and safety of Albertans and are in addition to the federal government’s decision earlier Wednesday to implement a mandatory 14-day quarantine under the Quarantine Act for travellers returning to Canada.

“This step is serious and it is necessary,” she said. “We must do everything possible to stop the spread of COVID-19, to support our health-care workers and to keep our family, friends, neighbours and vulnerable Albertans safe.”

Long-term care and other continuing care facilities are most at-risk from the virus, said Hinshaw, who announced additional measures in place to protect those facilities, including licensed facilities for persons with disabilities.

The new measures include enhanced cleaning and additional directions around use of shared spaces and common activities and mandatory health screening protocols for all staff, residents and visitors.

These new protocols are mandatory for all health-care operators and service providers, including all nursing homes, designated supportive living and long-term care facilities, seniors lodges and any facility in which residential addictions treatment services are offered under the Mental Health Services Protection Act.

For Albertans who may ask what more they could be asked to do to help stop the spread of the virus, Hinshaw made it simple.

“We must all do everything possible to follow all public health recommendations in place. All of us have a role and a responsibility to stop the spread.”

Actions Albertans can take extend to our homes, families and traditions, said Hinshaw saying limiting sharing of open foods, even between family members, not sharing cups or utensils and one person responsible for serving all others are steps that can be taken and made part of the new normal.

The full March 25 update from the province can be found here

by Chris Brown

Medicine Hat’s COVID-19 cases doubles to four

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