Earlier in the pandemic, large parties held in Metro Vancouver during periods of B.C. COVID-19 restrictions resulted in hosts and attendees facing fines, and some cases even involved arrests and charges.  

As B.C. has progressively lifted restrictions during the reopening process, reports about social events violating health orders have disappeared.

But with school set to return, a huge party on the weekend at a Vancouver university violated provincial health orders.

University RCMP stated that police responded to several calls about Fraternity Village on Wesbrook Mall at UBC on August 29.

Upon arrival at the location, RCMP saw hundreds of students gathering in the courtyard and inside several homes.

The gatherings violated current public health orders—the number of people in attendance exceeded the 50-person maximum, only a few individuals were wearing masks, and physical distancing was impossible due to the number of people present.

The event was advertised on social media with a video of the partygoers.

Officers issued $5,000 in fines for the hosting of a non-compliant event.

Previously, the B.C. government announced its health guidelines for post-secondary education on August 24, which include mandatory masks and vaccination proof for accessing non-essential services and on-campus housing.