Medical Officer of Health Dr.Kit Young Hoon/CKDR
The Northwestern Health Unit’s Medical Officer of Health is upping education and enforcement, to make sure close contacts, those with symptoms and those with COVID-19 are self-isolating.
Dr. Kit Young Hoon is issuing the COVID-19 Class Section 22 Order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act that goes into effect Wednesday February 17 at 12:01 a.m, meaning the health unit will be able to enforce self-isolation requirements.
“The order applies to all persons residing or present in the Northwestern Health unit catchment area who are required by public health to self isolate. Generally, most people follow self isolation requirements but throughout this entire pandemic, we’ve had the occasional case who has not followed those recommendation and unfortunately in some incidents it has led to spread of COVID-19.”
Young Hoon explains the Order applies to those in the region with COVID-19, close contacts of COVID-19 cases and people who have symptoms that could be COVID-19.
“If we receive information that an individual is not self isolating appropriately we will follow up, re-educate and spend some time making sure that person is supported. Sometimes people are unable to self isolate, whether it’s because they don’t have someone to get them food or they don’t have a place to live and so on. If that is still not effective, then we can think about enforcement.”
The health unit and other enforcement officers can enforce the Class Section 22 Order that can result in a fine of a $750 ticket to a maximum of $5,000 or it can lead to an Order for Confinement under the court system.
With concerns of COVID-19 variants of the virus and the area returning to the province’s COVID-19 Response Framework, Young Hoon says they felt this is a good time to implement the Order.
“Today the province-wide shutdown is being lifted. When gathering with others, please continue to stay 2 metres away from others who are not within your household; avoid indoor gatherings; and wear face masks when coming with 2 metres of others. Anyone who has symptoms, or who has been in contact with a positive case, should self-isolate immediately and get tested as soon as possible”.
The Order will remain in effect until Young Hoon determines it’s no longer required.
To see the full release about the Order click here.
