Premier Dwight Ball says two foreign nationals were arrested and transported to Happy Valley Goose Bay after arriving unannounced in Makkovik by boat yesterday.

The vessel, which originated in Norway, had two men on board. They were arrested by RCMP and detained under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Premier Ball says an investigation is underway. The federal government announced in May that as of June 1st, pleasure craft were banned from operating in northern waters to protect highly vulnerable communities from COVID-19.

RCMP are now working with the Canada Border Services Agency which has taken the lead on the investigation.

Premier Ball says it’s too early to say if fines will be handed out in relation to the case as the investigation unfolds.