It could be in the very near future that you will be slapped with a $500 ticket for parking at the hospital without a good reason for being there, according to the province’s health minister.

Michelle Thompson told reporters they are in the process of working out logistical issues in order to issue the tickets.

“Some folks are getting warnings, just to make sure people understand the implications of that $500 fine,” said Thompson.

It comes after Nova Scotia made parking free at hospitals and healthcare facilities last month, making spaces a hot commodity in the city and difficult to nab.

Thompsons said they want to make sure people understand what the rules are.

“If you’re parking outside of the regulations in there…if you’re not staff, you’re not a volunteer, you’re not a patient, you’re not a visitor. So, the logistics are being finalized,” said Thompson.

She added, it’s only a very small group of people who are parking “inappropriately” at hospital sites.

The news of the $500 fine was in a memo sent to Nova Scotia Health staff.