Over this past weekend, Surrey RCMP say its officers issued four violation tickets to businesses and event organizers following repeated contraventions of the provincial health officer’s COVID-19 orders.
In a release, RCMP say the Surrey COVID-19 Compliance and Enforcement Team (CCET) issued $2,300 fines to one restaurant, two event/banquet spaces, and one after hours club on Aug. 23.
The news follows Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s announcement on Aug. 21 of new fines for non-compliance with COVID-19 health orders.
RCMP add that a massive crowd of roughly 1,000 people gathered to celebrate the Canucks' win on Friday, Aug. 21 at the corner of Scott Road and 72nd Avenue. Unfortunately, due to the size of the crowd, Surrey RCMP and Delta Police Department had to focus on pedestrian and traffic safety. However, a total of seven violation tickets were issued for seat belt violations as a result of occupants hanging out of windows or sunroofs.
“Canuck fans who gathered in large groups without masks on Friday night should consider this to be their warning,” says Sergeant Roger Green of the Surrey COVID-19 Compliance and Enforcement Team. “The public and the police are not happy with the disregard for physical distancing and expect you do to better for the sake of your families, yourselves, and your fellow residents.”
CCET conducted a total of 429 checks on Saturday and Sunday at various businesses, event spaces, and faith-based institutions, with 425 of those in compliance with provincial health orders.
Since March 2020, CCET has been proactively conducting outreach around Surrey to ensure that residents, business owners and organizations understand their obligations to stop the spread of COVID-10 by following health orders. CCET, which is made up of Surrey RCMP officers and City of Surrey bylaw officers, conducts approximately 60 proactive compliance checks each day, as well as responding to calls for service.
The Surrey RCMP and Delta Police will be present at 72nd Avenue and Scott Road following each Canucks playoff game to ensure the safety of celebrants, drivers and pedestrians in the area. They are asking everyone to ensure that they are complying with COVID-19 public health orders while celebrating – this including no congregations of more than 50 people in one area, and maintaining physical distancing. Residents wishing to report a violation of a COVID-19 public health order should contact the City of Surrey Bylaw call centre at 604-591-4370 or the Surrey RCMP non-emergency line at 604-599-0502.
- With files from Glacier Media.
