It appears some rumours have been circulating on social media this week in B.C. about RCMP and police agencies issuing tickets related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There have been numerous posts and messages about people reportedly being stopped and fined by police for being in the same car together but not living in the same household.
However, RCMP confirmed Friday these rumours are not true.
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RCMP E Division confirmed to Global News they do not have any record of any fines being issued around this subject and no record of enforcement.
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On Friday, Surrey RCMP tweeted these rumours are false.
“Have you heard the rumours circulating that we’re issuing fines for people driving together if they’re not from the same address? False! Surrey RCMP have not issued any such tickets, nor is there a provision or authority to do so,” they said on Twitter.
Cpl. Joanie Sidhu, media relations office for Surrey RCMP, told Global News Friday that they have not had direct reports from the public of these instances but they have heard the rumours and that is what made them send the tweet.
“Our officers are conducting routine road checks, as they normally would, and perhaps during those checks, depending on the circumstances, they may ask individuals if they are from the same household and then provide information and education to those individuals if it is a situation where they should be wearing masks,” she said.
Sidhu said currently there is no enforcement power to issue a violation ticket to anyone who is in a vehicle with someone who is not from their household, officers can only inform and educate the public about the health orders in this particular case.
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