Today, B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced new health orders to address venues that have been sites of risk and transmission of COVID-19. Among the changes, she ordered all nightclubs and banquet halls to close until further notice.

She had explained that these venues have been problematic locations since the third phase of the reopening plan had started. In addition, she also has said several times that private parties have been a serious issue as well.

Although B.C. Solicitor General and Public Health Minister Mike Farnworth had authorized officers to fine operators or individuals organizing or attending such parties, ranging from $200 to $2,000 tickets, that hasn’t stopped some individuals from holding parties.

In fact, a particular massive one was busted on the North Shore by police about over a week ago.

The West Vancouver Police Department (WVPD) stated today (September 8) that officers responded to a call at 10:15 p.m. on August 28 about a disturbance in the 1500 block of Errigal Place, West Vancouver.

Police arrived to find a house party in the British Properties with over 200 guests, who were primarily within the age range of 18 to 21 years old and were from outside West Vancouver. According to the WVPD, none of the party guests were practising health measures.

As police were managing the crowd, fights broke out.

A male, who sustained significant but non-life-threatening head and facial injuries after he was assaulted, was taken to hospital. An investigation into this assault remains ongoing.

The crowd was dispersed and officers determined that the property was a rental.

The organizer or renter, who is believed to have fled when police arrived, wasn’t located.

A party promoter who was identified received a $230 fine.

“This was an extremely irresponsible group who posed a significant risk to each other, their own communities and the residents of West Vancouver,” WVPD spokesperson Cst. Kevin Goodmurphy stated.