Canadian police arrested a Kentucky man after he allegedly broke the country's coronavirus rules twice, which could potentially leave him facing a $750,000 fine and 6 months in jail.
John Pennington, 40, of Walton is accused of violating Canadian quarantine acts two separate times while visiting the country in June. Americans are currently barred from staying in Canada due to the continued pandemic.
Some U.S. citizens have reportedly found a loophole within the requirement. Those without coronavirus symptoms are allowed to travel through Canada as a way of going to and from Alaska, The Guardian reported. However, they need to use the foremost direct route in going to Alaska, can only use drive-thru windows for food, and must enter quarantine if they have to remain during a Canadian hotel. they're also not allowed to go to national parks, leisure sites or engage in tourism activities.
Pennington took the "scenic route" on his thanks to Alaska, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Cpl. Tammy Keibel told McClatchy News.
A worker at the Rimrock Hotel in Banff told police that Pennington was staying at the hotel with a Calgary woman, disobeying the quarantine stipulation for Americans. RCMP gave him a $1,200 citation on June 25 for violating the Alberta Public Health Act, Keibel said.
Police received another complaint subsequent day, after someone saw Pennington's car at Sulphur Mountain, a well-liked tourist destination in Canada. RCMP arrested the American and charged him with violating the Canadian Quarantine Act, Keibel said.
Pennington is scheduled to seem in court in November. If convicted, he's facing up to a $750,000 fine and 6 months in jail. Newsweek contacted RCMP for further comment, but didn't hear back in time for publication.
Pennington's arrest has been the sole one made under the country's Quarantine Act, RCMP Staff Sgt. Michael Buxton-Carr told CBC News.
"The overwhelming majority of usa citizens and vehicles with American license plates are people that are here for legitimate reasons," Buxton-Carr said, adding that the majority of the reported offenses are on the minor side.
Alberta police had to issue seven $1,200 citations to U.S. citizens during a one-week period in June, after they were caught visiting Banff park to sightsee despite the country's coronavirus regulations.
"If individuals are allowed to enter Canada for an important purpose, they need to abide by the wants provided to them by the CBSA," RCMP Cpl. Deanna Fontaine told CBC News.
Non-essential travel between the borders was prohibited beginning March 21 and was initially scheduled to reopen July 21, but is now expected to stay in effect until midnight on September 21, consistent with U.S. Customs and patrol .
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