George Street crowds have premier calling for common sense, as others fear COVID-19 resurgence

In the wake ofphotos of Saturday night crowdsat George Street clubs circulating on social media and drawing condemnation, the premier has weighed in, saying he is not impressed with the situation.

"We expect people to be responsible. We expect adults to make good, responsible decisions, and just follow common sense," Premier Dwight Ball said Monday.

"Some of the images that I saw over this weekend is not something that illustrates to me that people were making responsible decisions."

Widely shared photos depictpeople packed together, waiting in line outside the clubsKonfusion and Rob Roy. Pictures from the inside of Konfusionshowclubgoers packed shoulder to shoulder, and spilling out onto the patio.

Like many people commenting on social media, St. John's Centre MHA Jim Dinn was angry when he saw pictures from the crowded George Street club stripon Saturday night.

"This is not what I would call safe behaviour, and I think the province needs to get a hold of that," said Dinn, a New Democrat.

Hundreds of people reacted to the images on Facebook and Twitter, saying it was unfair for families and businesses to follow rules over the COVID-19 pandemic, while clubs allowed people to flout physical distancing guidance.

Ball said he and public health officials will meet with people responsible for the businesses regarding the enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines, including a meeting Monday afternoon with Service NL.

"We're trying to work with those businesses to get them open because we know that they've been dealt a difficult business impact," he said. "This is not the appropriate way to respond. We can do better."

According to rules from the provincial government, bars that do not comply with public health orders can be fined between $5,000 and $50,000 for a first offence.

"There is a responsibility on both owners and patrons who choose to go to nightclub establishments, to follow Public Health Guidelines," the Department of Health and Community Services wrote in a statement to CBC News.

Bars respond

In a statement from Rob Roy and Konfusion, club management said its staff are working hard to ensure a safe environment inside their buildings, while public authorities are "leading all governance" on people distancing outside.

However, management said there is still work to be done as they work to establish "a new normal."

"In these early days of trying to get things right, issues and opportunities for improvement are presenting themselves left and right," part of the statement reads.

"We are committed to our loyal patrons, our hard-working staff, and the public to get things right as we continue to establish our new normal in the face of these challenges."

Meanwhile, Don-E Coady, the communications and marketing directorof the George Street Association, said nobody has been ticketed or fined by the police for the Saturday night crowds.

"I would say that the moments that people are seeing are upsetting for the members involved, as we are trying our best to deal with the unexpected realities as well as our best-laid plans when it comes to how to open in a socially safe environment," Coady told CBC Radio'sSt. John's Morning Show.

According to the Newfoundland and Labrador government's guidelines for reopening businesses, it is only recommended that bars reduce capacity to 50 per cent. It is not an order enforced by law.

The guidelines, however, do state that dance floors are not permitted. Video from inside Konfusionon Saturdayshows people dancing with loud music and flashing lights.

Coady said everyone will do their best to make sure it doesn't happen again. Healso said it's not just on the establishments but also onpatrons to avoid crowded scenarios.

He compared the level of demand on George Streetto a game of red rover, saying people are rushing toward the bars at peak hours while staff tries to hold them back.

It's the second week in a row that crowds on George Street have drawn the ire of the public and government officials.

Last Monday, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, the province's chief medical officer of health, said she was "deeply concerned" about the crowds that were observed in St. John's bars.

St. John's Mayor Danny Breensaid everyone has a role to play in curbing the spread of COVID-19 including the provincial government and health officials.

"We all need to be responsible not only for ourselves but for each other, too," Breen told CBC News on Monday afternoon.

"So the businesses have that responsibility. They know whatthe guidelines are and they need to make sure that those guidelines are in place. And the province has a responsibility, too, to make sure that the businesses understand the parameters under which they have to operate."

Yoga instructor calls out perceived double standard

Dinn said he's especially concerned given that the province is now open for tourists from other Atlantic provinces, while Prince Edward Island is now dealing with a new outbreak.

"We're creating a perfect storm. We're opening up the province now and there's no guarantee people from other provinces won't come in from some loophole. We've got our own restrictions loosening up," he said.

"All it takes is one traveller bringing something into a situation like we saw on George Street, and good luck tracking it down."

Yoga instructor Melanie Caines was also surprised to see the pictures, but for a different reason.

She's been holding open air yoga sessions on the grounds of Government House, trying to promote health for people who have been stuck inside for months.

Despite operating on a 22-acre property, Caines is only allowed to have 50 people take part. She has to turn people away each day.

"I feel so bad, and I know it's not my fault I'm only following guidelines but I feel terrible," she said.

Caines said it doesn't make sense that bars can operate at half capacity, which could be dozens or even hundreds of people inside a building, but she can't have an outdoor gathering of more than 50 people.

Limiting public gatherings to 50 or fewer is a public health order, while reducing bars to half-capacity is only a recommendation.

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