Two Chatham-Kent residents got a visit from police after allegedly breaking their home quarantine.
A Form-22 order was issued by the Medical Officer of Health under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to enforce the quarantine.
"The Health Protection and Promotion Act provides for the Medical Officer of Health to order people to engage in certain behaviours if they are deemed to be a hazard to the community," explained Dr. David Colby, CK Medical Officer of Health
After he issued the order, Colby said the two individuals were served by Chatham-Kent police Thursday night. Under the Health Protection and Promotion Act rules, the identity of the patients cannot be released.
"There was an individual who was known to be positive and a contact of an individual who was known to be positive, who were not abiding by their isolation instructions," he said.
Colby described the order as a "legally-binding instruction to isolate." Violations of the order can result in a fine of $5,000 for each day or each time it's breached.
Colby added that it's not often he has to invoke the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
"Most people are very compliant," he said. "When the health unit asks them to do something, they do it...I'm grateful for the fact that the majority of people are following our instructions. This is a serious matter and we have to make sure the community is kept safe."
Anyone with questions regarding quarantine enforcement is encouraged to call 519-360-1998 or email Covid19enforcement@chatham-kent.ca.