Governments Threaten Fines, Arrest, If Orders to Distance and Isolate Not Followed

Governments Threaten Fines, Arrest, If Orders to Distance and Isolate Not Followed
A man in a mask boards a bus on campus at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada, on March 13, 2020. Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images
|Updated:

MONTREAL—After a week of strong urging from governments that people should keep apart to prevent the spread of COVID-19, provincial leaders—and their police forces—have stopped asking politely.

On Friday, provincial police in Ontario warned that people will face fines for violating orders to close certain businesses and to limit gatherings. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe suggested citizens who know of anyone not self-isolating after returning from international travel should call police.