Kingston, Ont., partygoers could now face $2K fine, public shaming

Police and the medical officer of health in Kingston, Ont., already singled out people who attend illegal, unsafe gatherings. Now the city says those attendees will face higher fines, as well as the threat of being publicly named.

As of Friday at 4 p.m., a new emergency order from the City of Kingston targets large street parties.

The order jacks the fine from $500 to 2,000 for anyone who attendsa gathering above the provincial limitof 25 people inside, and 100 people outside, according to a news release.

This also allows stronger enforcement of these rules and the ability to fine people on the spot.

The city is now also allowed to share the first and last nameof anyone charged under the Reopening Ontario Act, plussimilar laws.

'Appalling and downright dangerous'

Kingston police charged 11 people under that pandemic act over the long weekend, saying 3,500 to 5,000 people had gathered in its downtown university district.

• Queen's student leaders search for answers after party-filled long weekend

The health unit for the area said Thursday, in general,more young people downtown are testing positiveafter going to large gatherings without masks or distancing. Anyone who hasgone to a large gathering in its university district is asked to get a COVID-19 test.

"The large street parties that have been occurring in the University District are appalling and downright dangerous in the midst of a pandemic," said Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson in the news release.

"They have put additional pressure on our emergency response personnel and on hospital staff that are already under strain."

As of Thursday, theKingston public health unit has reported 29 cases over a week, up from 11 cases the previous week. The unit's dashboard doesn't list any COVID-19 hospitalizations.