Hundreds pack UBC frat party, hosts fined $5,000 for breaking COVID-19 rules
Posted September 1, 2021 6:03 pm.
Last Updated September 1, 2021 6:04 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A party at UBC’s fraternity village over the weekend drew a crowd of hundreds in defiance of COVID-19 restrictions, and Mounties slapped the host with a $5,000 fine.
On Sunday, police were called to Westbrook Mall after receiving multiple calls about the gathering.
“When officers responded, they observed a gathering of people beyond the allowable 50 persons, few were wearing masks, and as a result of the large amount of people, physical distancing was not possible. The event was also advertised on social media and a video of the party-goers posted,” says a statement from the University RCMP.
Video shared by police shows a closely-packed crowd of unmasked people dancing amid strobe lights.
One social media post from a fraternity promoting its “first party of the year” invited people to join a “sea of raving people.”
Cst. Lee Martin is reminding students to follow public health orders, as well as UBC’s policies.
“The University RCMP will be working with the University of British Columbia to make sure any student events on or off campus are in accordance with current public health orders,” a statement says.
RELATED: UBC, SFU to require rapid COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated students, staff
Last week, the university updated its COVID-19 safety protocols to include mandatory masks in indoor spaces, and announced that students and staff will have to provide proof of vaccination or undergo rapid testing to access campus.
