The RCMP has been asked for assistance in the fight against COVID-19 by making sure that people are following quarantine orders.

Under the Quarantine Act Order, unless specifically exempted, any person entering Canada must isolate or quarantine themselves for 14 days and monitor for signs and symptoms of the virus.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is now requesting that police agencies across Canada provide physical verification that individuals subject to the mandatory Order are complying with isolation and quarantine requirements — in other words, that they are inside their homes following isolation orders. 

A statement from the RCMP explains that these checks will generally be limited to persons who, after PHAC has done initial verifications by phone, text or email, may require a physical verification by police.

"Choosing to ignore mandatory isolation and quarantine orders is not only against the law, it's also putting citizens, first responders, health professionals and the most vulnerable at risk of exposure to the virus,” said Brenda Lucki, RCMP Commissioner.
“Collectively, everyone in Canada has a role to play to ensure compliance with isolation and physical distancing measures."

When enforcing the law in their jurisdictions, RCMP officers will use a “risk-based, measured approach” to non-compliance, focusing on education and encouragement. 

“RCMP officers will attempt to conduct physical verification with the individual while maintaining physical distancing,” the RCMP explained. “Our officers will speak to the person, inform them of the law and explain the importance of compliance, as well as the potential consequences of non-compliance.”

Violating or failing to comply with the Quarantine Act could have significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment. 

Maximum penalties include a fine of up to $750,000 and/or imprisonment for six months for failure to comply with this Order.

 
Further, a person who causes a risk of imminent death or serious bodily harm to another person while willfully or recklessly contravening the Act or the regulations could be liable for a fine of up to $1,000,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both.

Currently, individuals charged under the Quarantine Act can be issued a court appearance notice or summons, rather than being taken into custody.

“Arrests would be a last resort, based on the circumstance and the officer's risk assessment,” the RCMP added in their statement.

“Taking a person into custody is not the preferred approach to enforcing isolation or quarantine, and may place officers and other persons at risk of exposure to the virus.”