A Richmond business was handed a $2,300 fine Saturday under the new COVID-19 safety measures.
Richmond RCMP say they attended a private sports centre in the 2300 block of No. 6 Road – near Burrows Road – after hearing complaints that management there wasn’t following physical distancing rules.
At 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 22, officers arrived at the sports centre and found “a significant amount of people past the 50-person limit, as set out in requirements of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) guidelines,” reads a release from RCMP.
“It was also learned that the location was doing little to encourage social distancing, proper sanitization or contact tracing.”
The operator of the facility was issued a $2,300 violation ticket under the new COVID-19 Related Measures Act, after it was clear that those at the event wouldn’t comply with health orders.
“Initially, investigators took an educational approach when dealing with the participants and spectators at the facility, but it was quite clear that the business needed further incentive to comply with the PHO’s guidelines,” said Richmond RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Ian Henderson.
Mounties say they also attended “a number of private gatherings” over the weekend, but chose to educate people rather than issue violation tickets.
Under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act – which came into effect Friday – individuals can be fined $230 if they refuse to follow safety plans of businesses or event organizers.
“It is disappointing that people still aren’t getting the message,” said Henderson.
“Whenever possible, we will take an educational approach to the Public Health Officer’s orders, but for those businesses operating in blatant disregard for the PHO’s orders, the RCMP will be considering violation tickets under the new (act).”
Fines were also handed out in Victoria and Surrey over the weekend after similar violations were found.
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