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Ottawa’s top doctor orders up to $5K fine for breaking COVID-19 rules

The top doctor in Ottawa says people who don’t comply COVID-19 quarantine rules with could face a fine of up $5,000 a day.

Dr. Vera Etches, the Canadian capital’s medical officer of health, ordered anyone to immediately self-isolate if they test positive for COVID-19, have symptoms, or are a close contact of someone infected with the virus, CTV News reported.

“Failure to comply with this order could result in a fine of up to $5,000 for every day or part of a day on which the offence occurs or continues,” Etches said.

Etches said they’re required to isolate under the new order for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.

“I don’t take these types of decisions and steps lightly. However, I must do everything possible to reduce the transmission that’s currently happening in Ottawa,” she said.

The Canadian city has recorded more than 3,772 cases, including more than 800 in September alone, the outlet reported.