Banff, Alberta — Not all views are priceless—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic—for one American seeing Banff National Park’s picturesque peaks cost him more than half-a-million dollars.
John Pennington, from Walton, Kentucky, was recently arrested in Banff, Alberta for violating Canada’s provincial health orders after entering from Alaska.
Since late March the border between Canada and the U.S. has been closed for all non-essential travel. However, a loophole allows Americans to drive from the Lower 48 through Canada into Alaska. But those drivers are required to take the most direct route and are prohibited from visiting national parks, leisure sites, and tourism activities.
Thus, when Pennington’s car with Ohio plates was spotted at a sightseeing gondola on Sulphur Mountain, he was arrested, and he is now facing a fine of up to $569,000 ($750,000 Canadian) and up to six months in jail. Additionally, Earlier in the trip, Pennington was already fined by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Although Pennington was the first American arrested under Canada’s Quarantine Act, many others have breached the rules. For example, a New York couple was fined $1450 ($2000 Canadian) in June for not self-quarantining after crossing the border and more than 20 tickets have been issued to foreigners in Canada for Quarantine Act offences, including nine in Banff.
Nonessential travel across the U.S.-Canadian border will remain limited until at least September 21, 2020.
For more information on the rules and restrictions surrounding travel through Canada to Alaska, click here.
