More than $150,00 in fines have been issued to people violating the COVID-19 rules since August.
According to the B.C. government, a total of 194 tickets were issued to individuals caught violating the provincial health officer’s orders under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act between Aug. 21 and Dec. 4.
The government says 142 tickets with a fine of $230 were issued to individuals who refused to comply with direction from law enforcement.
Additionally, a total of 36 tickets carrying a $2,300 were issued to owners or organizers who were caught contravening the gatherings and events order.
There were 16 tickets, which came with a $2,300 fine, handed out to people caught violating the provincial health officer’s order on serving food and liquor in the province.
Furthermore, the B.C. government says that since the pandemic began, police agencies across the province have handed out 70 tickets to individuals in contravention of the federal Quarantine Act, equating to a total of $76,216 in fines.
Mike Farnworth, the province’s minister of public safety and solicitor general, said in a statement that the majority of people in B.C. continue to do the right thing.
“Most British Columbians continue to do the right thing, and our collective efforts are something to be proud of,” said Farnworth. “Having said that, I can assure you this government will not hesitate to take further action against those who insist on putting the lives of others at risk. The orders are in place to keep people safe, and we will use those legal tools when necessary to ensure public safety.”
A man in Victoria was recently issued a $230 ticket for refusing to wear a mask at Cafe Mexico over the weekend.
Kelsey Mitchell, the restaurant’s general manager, told CHEK News on Monday that the fines don’t go far enough and that the province needs to do more.
“For the people that work in the community that works in restaurants, this is not an uncommon story. I am not the first one to deal with this and that itself at its core is the reason is a big problem,” she said, adding. “People don’t think that they’re going to serve any consequences for their actions.”
With files from Ben Nesbit
CHEK News
