Large gathering of youth in Nanaimo ends with fines all around

Several Nanaimo teenagers were fined for ignoring COVID-19 protocols this past weekend.

A large group of teens who failed to follow COVID-19 restrictions, and ignored earlier warnings to disperse, found themselves facing $230 fines, Saturday, Dec. 19, in the parking lot of Dover Bay High School in Nanaimo.

Patrol officers noticed the large group of youths as well as a number of vehicles gathering in the high school parking lot, according to an RCMP media release. An officer engaged the youth in discussion and pointed out risks associated with the behaviour before telling them to disperse.

Upon returning to the scene later, the officer found more youth and more vehicles.

Many of the participants walked around without masks while going back and forth between vehicles to speak with their friends.

"Given their lack of regard after being told to disperse, the officer elected to issue each with a violation ticket in hopes that the behaviour would not continue throughout the Holiday Season,” Nanaimo RCMP officer Const. Gary O’Brien said in the release.

Throughout the interaction, the youth remained respectful, apologetic and understanding about why they were receiving a ticket.

O’Brien said a total of 11 youths received a $230 fine under Section 4 of the COVID Related Measures Act.

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