ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — If people don’t comply with the province’s rules to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, they can expect to become the subject of a police investigation that might involve interviewing witnesses and gathering surveillance video, and random visits by officers.
“It would be an investigation similar to a criminal investigation,” RNC media relations officer Const. James Cadigan told The Telegram Tuesday. “If someone is going to put the health and safety of the community at risk, we will intervene.”
The RNC announced Tuesday it has established a specific COVID-19 enforcement unit consisting of investigators, an analyst and a supervisor tasked with following up on tips and information about people or businesses not following the emergency rules implemented last week by the provincial government under its Public Health Protection and Promotion Act.
Those rules include a 14-day self-isolation period for anyone coming into Newfoundland and Labrador from elsewhere, and the closure of bars, restaurants, fitness centres, bingo halls, cinemas, performance spaces, arenas, hair, esthetics, tanning and tattoo salons, and retail stores not deemed essential, among other measures aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus.
Consequences for individuals who violate the orders can range from a fine of between $500 and $5,000, a prison sentence of two months or less, or a combination of both, according to the legislation, but the court can also make other orders if they are deemed appropriate to keep a person from reoffending. A person can be charged with a separate violation for each day they don’t abide by the special measures.
There have been 152 COVID-19 cases in the province so far, including one related death. So far, one woman in Corner Brook has been arrested and charged — twice — with failing to abide by the self-isolation rules. She has since been released again.
Both Cadigan and a spokeswoman from the province’s Department of Justice and Public Safety said taking a person into custody is not the goal of the legislation — education with a view of getting people to realize the seriousness of the current public-health situation is.
RNC Assembles COVID-19 Enforcement Unit March 31, 2020 The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) has assembled a...
Posted by Royal Newfoundland Constabulary on Tuesday, March 31, 2020
An isolation area has been established at the St. John’s lockup, Cadigan said, and the same is being done in holding cells in other areas of the province.
The Justice and Public Safety spokeswoman said anyone arrested for breaching the Public Health Protection and Promotion Act will be taken to the lockup and held in isolation while they are assessed and wait to appear before a judge, which must happen within 24 hours.
“All new admissions are screened using a questionnaire and in accordance with a protocol developed in consultation with infection-control specialists,” she stated in an email. “A nurse practitioner will provide further assessment to those who are believed to be symptomatic, who have recently travelled or those who have come in contact with someone known to have the virus. Precautions are taken, such as the use of masks, with those offenders taken into custody. A decision on their further in-custody care would be made in consultation with medical unit professionals.”
As of Monday, provincial court appearances are not taking place in courtrooms and are not accessible to the public. Judges and most court staff are working from home and using technology to oversee and conduct court matters. Court operations are monitored to ensure optimal service, the provincial court has said, and journalists are able to take in the proceedings by phone.
To report concerns about an individual or business not complying with the #GovNL Public Health Protection & Promotion Act use this #covid19nfld form: https://t.co/EgvBah9PQH. Please only call 911 the @RNC_PoliceNL or @RCMPNL in an emergency. pic.twitter.com/BH0nwB43Xw
— Justice and Public Safety NL (@JPS_GovNL) March 30, 2020
The province’s superior courts are also closed to the public for the time being.
The RNC and the RCMP have responded to hundreds of reports of non-compliance from across the province, and are urging the public to use the province’s COVID-19 website at www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19 to file a report and get information to them.
Cadigan said the RNC’s efforts have been met with a lot of public support.
“Our chief medical officer has certainly made it clear that this virus has the ability to devastate our community,” Cadigan said. “We want to implore everyone to be diligent in heeding the orders put in place by our government officials, which assist in mitigating risk in our communities. We are in this together.”
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