Acts of vandalism to COVID-19 signs and residents not following provincial health orders have forced the City of Burnaby to step up enforcement efforts.
One area being targeted is Deer Lake Park. Earlier this year, the city installed plenty of signage encouraging physical distancing.
The loop around the lake was turned into a one-way route so users wouldn’t have to pass each other on some of the narrower sections.
Many users, however, are not following the directional signs and vandals have destroyed many of the COVID-19 warning signs.
So “additional security measures” have been put into place, which includes not only additional patrols through the park, but also additional staff undertaking those patrols, the city told the NOW in an email.
“Physical distancing measures are in place at Deer Lake Park due to COVID-19,” read a city tweet. “Onsite signage helps people enjoy the park safely.” People are being asked to report vandalism of city property to covid19@burnaby.ca
This comes as British Columbia’s provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has amended her events and gatherings order to include a full suspension of adult team sports and an indefinite suspension on high-intensity group fitness activities.
This is because physical distancing recommendations are not being followed by some people.
This includes many outdoor activities.
"A number of these adult team sports are really social gatherings as much as sports. And, unfortunately, those types of events are leading to transmission," Henry said.
