RCMP issue coronavirus fine to "sports centre" in Richmond

Aug 25 2020, 4:33 pm

A “private sports centre” in Richmond has been fined after violating British Columbia’s COVID-19 Related Measures Act.

The Richmond RCMP says that the centre is located on the 2300 block of No. 6 Road. Police visited the facility on Saturday night, at approximately 9:30 pm, after receiving complaints that management wasn’t complying with physical distancing rules.

“Frontline officers attended the location finding a significant amount of people past the 50-person limit,” said police in a statement. “It was also learned that the location was doing little to encourage social distancing, proper sanitization or contact tracing.”

The operator of the sports centre was issued a $2,300 violation ticket.

Richmond RCMP Cpl. Ian Henderson noted that investigators first took “an educational approach when dealing with the participants and spectators at the facility” but added “it was quite clear that the business needed further incentive to reply.”

Police in Richmond said they attended multiple private gatherings over the weekend but “educated people” rather than issue violation tickets.

“It is disappointing that people still aren’t getting the message,” Cpl. Henderson said.

“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.”

Over the weekend, over $8,000 in violation fines were also issued by police in Surrey.

Vincent PlanaVincent Plana

+ News
ADVERTISEMENT