The first known charge of ignoring a COVID-19 provincial emergency declaration in northwestern Ontario has been laid.
Provincial Police in Sioux Lookout responded to a local hotel on Tuesday night after receiving a complaint of a group of non-registered guests causing a disturbance in a hotel room.
Officers attended and educated them about the current restrictions under the Emergency Measures and Civil Protection Act.
One person was charged with failing to comply with an emergency order.
The charge comes with a set $750 fine.
The fine for obstruction results in a $1,000 fine.
Police stress “for the safety of our community, it needs to be understood that compliance with these orders is not optional.”
OPP in Sioux Lookout add “At this time, the frontline approach to enforcement is through public education with officers encouraging compliance with all of the short-term restrictions. Voluntary compliance is always preferred, and the OPP appreciates the public’s ongoing support of these mandates.”
