A Canadian couple has been charged with trespassing coronavirus guidelines after they reportedly flew from Vancouver to a rural area with a population of less than 125 to get vaccinated.
On January 21, the couple, identified as Rodney and Ekaterina Baker, went to a mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Beaver Creek, Yukon, even though they are not from the area near the Alaska border, John Streicker, Secretary of State. Yukon Community Services. said in a statement to CBS News.
One of them had a British Columbia health card and the other an Ontario health card, according to the statement.
Following their visit to Beaver Creek, home of the White River First Nation (WRFN) community, enforcers of the Yukon Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA) succeeded the couple.
Officials determined that the Bakers “violated the area’s self-isolation requirements and did not adhere to the statements they made when entering the area,” Streicker’s statement read.
They were each charged with not isolating themselves for 14 days after entering the area and of “not behaving in a manner consistent with the statement provided upon entering the area”.
In his statement, Streicker said he was “outraged by this selfish behavior” and that he finds it “disturbing that people would choose to endanger fellow Canadians in this way.”
“Reports allege that these individuals were deceitful and violated emergency measures for their own benefit, which is completely unacceptable at any time, but especially during a public health crisis,” Streicker continued.
The territory’s Civil Emergency Measures Act includes several guidelines to help slow the spread of COVID-19, including self-isolation from outside visitors. The set fine for each violation of the order is $ 500.
However, the Bakers were fined $ 1,150 each, WRFN director Sid C. Vander Meer told CBS News via email.
In a statement on Saturday, WRFN said the couple’s punishment was “mild” and called for a more severe punishment.
“These individuals have made false statements to Yukon government officials about their intentions within the territory, and have voluntarily violated self-isolation orders,” WRFN said in the statement. “WRFN is particularly concerned about the harsh nature of these actions by individuals as they were a blatant disregard for the rules protecting our community during this unprecedented global pandemic.”
“We are deeply concerned about the actions of individuals who put our elders and vulnerable people at risk to cross the line for selfish ends,” WRFN chief Angela Demit said in the statement.
“While we understand that many want a vaccination immediately, it is not appropriate to circumvent the rules that have been set and approach our community in this way,” the statement continued. “WRFN was selected for vaccines because of our remote, elderly, and at-risk population, as well as limited access to healthcare.”
In an emailed statement to CBS News, a representative for Great Canadian Gaming Corporation said Rodney Baker is no longer the president and CEO of Great Canadian as of Monday. “He is no longer affiliated with Great Canadian in any way, and has left the company with no severance pay of any kind,” the statement said.
“The Great Canadian Board of Directors and its management team will not tolerate actions that conflict with the Company’s goals and core values,” the statement continued.
The Company “strictly follows all guidelines and guidelines issued by public health authorities” and “all such actions that are inconsistent with the Company’s Core Values, that do not comply with GCGC’s strict compliance policy with regard to travel, and ensure that the Company and its employees follow all health guidelines and directions, will not be tolerated, “the statement read.