B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth is updating the province’s ticketing measures to align with Dr. Bonnie Henry’s latest orders in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions.
The updates giving police and other provincial enforcement officers the ability to issue violation tickets for additional contraventions in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions.
The new ticketing measures under the Emergency Program Act apply to party buses and limousines. The measures allow police and other enforcement officers to issue additional fines. People who operate or permit operation of perimeter-seating vehicles or perimeter-seating buses in contravention of the provincial health officers orders will be subject to a $2,000 fine.
People taking part in a social gathering on a bus or limousine in these regions could face individual fines of $200.
Section E of the provincial health officer’s (Dr. Bonnie Henry) revised order on gatherings and events prohibits the operation of party buses in affected areas (Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health). This prohibition is in place until rescinded by the provincial health officer.
Shuttles and small buses may still operate to transport people to and from work, work meetings or health-care appointments.
All ticketing measures previously announced in August and September to enforce COVID-19 public safety at gatherings and events will remain in effect throughout the province.
In addition to enabling action from police, compliance and enforcement staff from provincial ministries will continue to support enforcement and help issue tickets. This includes liquor, cannabis and gaming inspectors, community safety unit inspectors and conservation officers.
The specifics around orders of the provincial health officer, including the numbers allowable at gatherings and events, will continue to be set at the direction of the provincial health officer, the provincial government says.
To report concerns around order violations from event organizers, venues or individuals, people are asked to contact their local government’s bylaw office. Local bylaw officers can help follow up on concerns and engage police departments, health officers and WorkSafeBC as necessary, the provincial government says.
If unable to reach a local bylaw office, contact the local police department’s non-emergency line.
To learn more about the restrictions in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions, visit the B.C. government site here.
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