ST. PAUL - Two charges were laid last month in connection to a person blowing in people's faces while inside a local business, according to St. Paul RCMP.
St. Paul RCMP Sgt. David Graham confirmed the charges were laid against the same person in December, and were in contravention of health orders contrary to Sec. 73(1) of the Public Health Act.
"Both charges were against the same person that came to us via complaints made about the person blowing in people’s faces while inside a business," said Graham.
Graham said if people have complaints about someone violating the public health orders that are in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they should call Alberta Health Services - Environmental Public Health at 1-833-415-9179.
The Town of St. Paul's Community Peace Officers also have authority to enforce the public Health Act and can be reached at 780-645-4522, or the RCMP can be contacted at 780-645-8888.
"All three agencies try to work cooperatively as different complaints require different responses. Our first option is to always try to educate, but after that - or if there are flagrant violations - we may look at enforcement," said Graham.
When asked if the Town of St. Paul's CPOs have handed out any tickets, Director of Protective Services Trevor Kotowich said no tickets have been issued, as of Jan. 27.
"I can tell you that St. Paul Municipal Enforcement has received complaints regarding the public health orders, but as of yet have not issued any provincial tickets," said Kotowich. "Education is still a main facet of how we are approaching this."
He noted that if "blatant infractions are identified," then St. Paul Municipal Enforcement will follow-up and, with the support of either the RCMP or AHS, will issue tickets.