Province doles out 102 public health tickets, 130 warnings

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This article was published 26/05/2021 (1309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WITH increased restrictions, come more tickets.

In the past week, Manitoba public health enforcers doled out more than 100 tickets — the most of any week since the COVID-19 pandemic began — though some widely publicized gatherings reportedly escaped the arm of the law.

A total of 102 tickets and 130 warnings were issued May 17-23, largely in relation to gatherings at private residences, the province said in a news release Wednesday. The last time officials handed out triple-digit tickets was the week of Nov. 23, 2020.

Provincial officials also dispensed an additional 22 tickets — each carrying a $1,296 price tag — to attendees of past anti-pandemic restrictions rallies in Winnipeg.

The province declined to comment on which rallies from previous weeks were ticketed, but noted all tickets were “issued in relation to gathering limits.”

Last week, six tickets were issued for failure to wear a mask in an indoor public place (carrying a fine of $298), while the remaining 96 were in relation to various individual offences (each with a fine of $1,296).

Three of those 96 tickets were issued for a failure to self-isolate, two for unnecessary northern travel, and three to sole proprietor businesses. The remaining 88 were issued for gatherings at private residences.

Baba’s House Ice Cream in Winnipeg, the UPS Store on Ellice Avenue (Winnipeg), and Baldur Motor Hotel in Baldur each received $1,296 tickets last week. The province now issues $5,000 tickets solely to corporate businesses.

Winnipeg-based Springs Church drew public ire last week, after photos of an in-person graduation ceremony depicting several mask-less attendees made rounds on social media. A spokesperson for the province did not provide answer when asked Wednesday if anyone involved had received tickets for breaching mask or gathering restrictions.

Instead, a spokesperson for the department of justice said: “Enforcement officials are following up on tips received through the public alleging a breach of the public health orders in respect of gathering sizes. Currently, evidence is being collected, interviews are taking place, and work continues to determine whether charges will be laid.”

The justice spokesperson said the province takes these situations “seriously,” and reiterated those who breach public health rules “must face consequences.” They also noted “investigations take time.”

The province has said repeat offenders will face double fines, though it is unclear if any have been levied thus far.

julia-simone.rutgers@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jsrutgers