Those who don’t follow public health instructions over COVID-19 in Huron Perth could now face charges and stiff fines.
It comes after Huron Perth Public Health issued a Class Order under Section 22 of Ontario’s Health Protection and Promotion Act.
The order is focused at people who have been told to self-isolate or quarantine by public health or a health care provider and aren’t following the instructions.
Not complying can now lead to a ticket under the Reopening Ontario Act with a fine of $750 per day.
You could also be charged and fined up to $5,000 per day under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
Huron Perth Medical Officer of Health Dr.Miram Klassen says while most residents in the region have been doing what they should, there has recently been an increased lack of adherence by people who have been told to self-isolate because they are COVID positive or are a high risk contact to a positive case.
In a media briefing Sunday morning, Klassen said it’s not just one particular community not adhering to COVID public health guidelines.
“Some of those are related to Amish and Mennonite households, and there are many cases in those households so they’re being very severely impacted, but we are hearing examples of non-adherence and it’s not necessarily one particular community.”
The Class Order applies to anyone who has been told to self-isolate and/or quarantine for any reason related to COVID-19 by Huron Perth Public Health, or a healthcare provider at an assessment/testing centre, emergency department or family doctor’s office.
The order came into effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, November 29th and applies to all residents of Huron and Perth counties.
It can be enforced by public health inspectors, and provincial offence officers such as police and by-law officers.
