Social gatherings in Richmond on Christmas Day resulted in 32 tickets for various COVID-19 violations.
The tickets, from illegally serving alcohol to hosting a large gathering, were handed out at three different events, explained Supt. Will Ng, Office in Charge of the Richmond RCMP.
Twenty tickets were handed out at an event held at a closed commercial unit, which Ng called an “illegal drinking establishment” where there was a large gathering.
The 20 tickets went to 19 individuals for contravention of a food and liquor serving order, failure to wear masks in an indoor public space, and abusive and belligerent behaviour at a social gathering.
The second incident was a large gathering, reported to police as a noise complaint, which resulted in 11 individuals being ticketed for not complying with the direction of a law officer.
In a third incident, a homeowner was ticketed at a private residence where a number of families and households had gathered.
Call volumes are normally fairly low related to COVID-19 infractions in Richmond, Ng said, but these tickets were in conjunction with people celebrating the holidays.
COVID-19 hits emergency personnel
Six Richmond RCMP officers and three fire fighters are off work because of COVID-19.
Two RCMP officers tested positive and four are self-isolating out of precaution, while one fire fighter tested positive and two are in isolation.
The police and fire fighters were infected while off-duty.
Richmond RCMP assist at YVR
Richmond RCMP have also been asked by Transport Canada to provide "greater visibility" at Vancouver International Airport to help with compliance of travellers to stop the spread of COVID-19, Ng explained.
New orders come into effect on Jan. 7, whereby in-coming travellers must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
If they don’t, they will have to go to the federal quarantine facility on Sea Island, Ng added.
