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Coutts border crossing. (Canada Border Services Agency)

205 warnings, 130 tickets, eight charges for travellers not following COVID rules

Dec 29, 2020 | 1:06 PM

OTTAWA, ONT – Federal officials say they have issued eight charges to travellers who have failed to heed warnings about mandatory quarantine rules.

Most people entering the country from abroad are required to quarantine for 14 days.

In a statement today, the federal government says 98.8 per cent of instances where local law enforcement officers had to get involved have resulted in the rules being followed.

“Keeping Canadians healthy and safe is our number one priority,” says Public Safety Minister Bill Blair. “That’s why we’ve implemented some of the strongest border measures in the world and why we continue to work together with our provincial, territorial, and local law enforcement partners to ensure travellers are following quarantine rules”

A few of the over 41,100 incidents, however, have resulted in something more.

The government says officers have issued 185 verbal warnings, 20 written warnings, 130 tickets, and eight charges.

The statement comes in the wake of criticism that the federal quarantine rules aren’t being strictly followed.

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