Over $550K in COVID-related fines have been handed out in BC

British Columbia’s state of emergency was extended for a 23rd time on Tuesday.

The record-breaking state of emergency allows health and emergency management officials to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act to support BC’s pandemic response.

Since mid-August, that’s meant a number of public health orders regarding gatherings and events, limitations at restaurants and bars, a mandate on masks and much more.

"I want to thank all those British Columbians who are following public health orders, as well as the police working hard to enforce those orders with the support of bylaw officers and local governments," said Mike Farnworth, BC’s minister of public safety.

"And to the minority of British Columbians who continue to miss the message that we're all in this together, we will continue to penalize selfish and unlawful actions and work to ensure the public does not face unnecessary risks."

Those penalties Farnworth is referring to have been coming fast and furious lately, as people continue to contravene public health orders.

Between Aug. 21, 2020 and Jan. 15, 2021, there have been 693 violation ticket issued for COVID-related offenses for a grand total of $459,540 in fines.

Here’s a breakdown:

• 119 $2,300 tickets to owners or organizers contravening the PHO's order on gatherings and events.
• 26 $2,300 violation tickets for contravention of the PHO's Food and Liquor Serving Premises Order.
• 548 $230 tickets issued to individuals who refused to comply with direction from law enforcement.
  

In addition, since the start of the pandemic, there have been 85 violation tickets issued to people who have contravened the federal Quarantine Act, totalling $93,466 in fines.

That makes a grand total of $553,006 in COVID-related fines that have been handed out in BC.

The province’s current public health orders that mandate masks, ban gatherings of any size, prohibit adult team sports and put limitations on bars and restaurants will remain in place until at least Feb. 5.