Beach dance party `absolutely frustrating'
Kitsilano gathering takes place on same day province announces new warnings about large groups
As B.C. grapples with a record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and a surge in the more contagious variants of the coronavirus, a dance party was held Friday evening on a crowded Kitsilano Beach in contravention of public health orders.
The beach party happened on the same day B.C. health officials urged people not to gather in large groups this weekend because of the variants. It was also the same day Ontario went into lockdown, banning outdoor gatherings all together.
Beryl Pye, a resident in the area, said she was riding a bike with a friend Friday shortly before 8 p.m. and was horrified to see dozens of people crowded together dancing to loud music on the beach.
Under the public health order, no more than 10 people are allowed to get together outside, and should be spaced two metres apart unless they are from the same household.
“There was a huge line up for the bathrooms like I've never seen,” said Pye on Saturday.
“We sat away from the beach on a peninsula of grass and then a full on dance party with loud music started on the beach. I had to take a video because it upset me so much. There was no police presence at all! It felt like a festival.”
Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth said it was “absolutely frustrating and disappointing” to see people blatantly disregarding the public health orders, especially with the case counts rising.
“The vast majority of British Columbians are following the rules. This is a good time to take the opportunity to remind friends and family that you can be fined for not following these orders,” he said, in an emailed statement Saturday.
Kirsten Langdan, spokesperson for the city of Vancouver, said Saturday that there had been two noise complaints specifically about Kits Beach over the past two days. Between April 10 and April 16, there were 368 COVID related complaints to 311.
On Friday, B.C. recorded more than 1,000 new COVID cases, six additional deaths, and a third straight day of record hospitalizations, with 425 people in hospital with the coronavirus, surpassing the record of 409 set Thursday.
Out of hospitalized patients, 127 are in intensive care, up two from the previous day.
Vancouver police spokesperson Sgt. Tania Visintin said police were not called out to the beach and no fines were issued. She said Vancouver city park rangers have the authority to issue tickets and would be at the parks Saturday. The VPD will assist if needed, she added.
Other social media users posted photos to Twitter and Instagram saying Kits Beach was exceptionally crowded Friday.
Beaches and trails were expected to be packed in Metro Vancouver this weekend due to with the sunny weather, and temperatures expected to hit the mid-20s in some areas.
The province announced measures last summer that provide increased powers for police to enforce provincial health orders at parties and outdoor gatherings.
Vancouver city enforcement staff and park rangers provide education about compliance with provincial health orders and can issue tickets at the city's beaches, parks, bars, restaurants, and businesses offering personal services.
The city recommends residents report all complaints and concerns via VanConnect or by calling 311.
Meantime, Mounties in Surrey are urging Vaisakhi celebrants and Kissan supporters to follow public health orders this weekend.
Large-scale Vaisakhi celebrations have been cancelled again this year in Surrey because of the pandemic.
Officers will be conducting increased patrols throughout the weekend in Surrey and enforcing the health orders.