A Canadian man has been fined $1,000 for refusing to take a molecular COVID-19 test at 麻豆传媒映画International Airport on arrival from Thailand in July 2021.
Matthew Lepky was returning from Southeast Asia where his wife lives and he was told he had to take a test when he arrived in Vancouver. He refused and was issued a ticket.
He has pleaded guilty.
麻豆传媒映画provincial court Judge Eugene Jamieson heard Lepky was in violation of a federal order in council issued to prevent the spread of COVID-19 issued June 21, 2021. It was issued under the federal Quarantine Act.
Jamieson also heard Lepky has refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine because it offends his conscience and he doubts its efficacy. The court also heard Lepky doubts the threat of the pandemic to the community.
However, Lepky had obtained a negative test prior to boarding the plane to Vancouver. He said that test was still valid for 50 hours.
“If I was just tested for COVID and I didn’t have it and I was allowed to fly into Canada, why do I need to be tested again?” Lepky asked the court.
He said he got a nosebleed each time he received a test. He said he didn’t want to spend time on a connecting flight to Toronto with a nosebleed after a nasal swab test in Vancouver.
Asked why he was pleading guilty, Lepky said, “I am trying to get on with my life. This has gone on for a long time and I just want to get it over."
He told the court he hoped it's not something that would haunt him "for the rest of my life.”
Jamieson agreed to a joint submission from Crown and defence in assessing the $1,000 fine.
