Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was firm in demanding snowbirds who are arriving home from overseas stay home once they arrive.
On Monday afternoon the premier said travellers arriving home must immediately isolate upon return to Alberta.
“This does not mean going to the grocery store, it does not mean going to the kennel to pick up the dog, it does not mean dropping your RV off at a service company to be serviced, it does not mean going and visiting the grandkids. It means one thing and one thing only: when you come into the country ... you must go directly and immediately to your home without stopping."
Kenney said call friends, family, neighbours or a delivery service for assistance getting groceries and supplies.
“We will not tolerate people coming in from overseas and then mixing with the general population. They would be threatening public health in Alberta. I cannot emphasize this strongly enough.”
The premier said he has heard too many stories of people not abiding by the 14-day quarantine rule.
“It is an absolute public health imperative and we are prepared to if necessary to use stronger legal tools to impose that obligation on people and stronger penalties if they violate that direction of our public health officer,” Kenney said.
The premier is considering quarantine orders for people returning and is considering increasing penalties for those who would break them.
