The head of the Essex-Windsor EMS is apologizing after an unnamed member of his managerial team travelled outside Canada during the Christmas holidays.
Chief Bruce Krauter said the staff member had no contact with patients or paramedics, and the incident is unrelated to a recent outbreak of COVID-19 at the service.
The individual also quarantined once they returned from abroad.
"This decision to travel out-of-country was regrettable, considering public health recommendations advising against non-essential travel," read a statement from Krauter. "The leadership team at Essex-Windsor EMS understands the importance of leading by example, especially in this time of crisis."
The statement goes on to call the staff member's decision to travel "an error in judgement."
Since the Christmas holidays, a number of politicians and other public leaders have come under fire for their decisions to travel out-of-country too. Former Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips resigned after his travel was revealed, and in Woodstock, Councillor Sandra Talbot also left her position in a travel-related scandal. Western Chancellor Linda Hasenfratz stepped down from her position on the Ontario COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Task Force after word got out about her trip to Barbados.
"Please do not let this isolated incident discourage you from adhering to public health guidelines," wrote Krauter. "We must continue working to slow the spread of COVID-19, which is threatening to overwhelm a healthcare system staffed by dedicated and caring paramedics and other healthcare workers."
