3 charged under COVID-19 rules after church services in Chatham-Kent

Chatham-Kent police say charges have been laid in connection with over-capacity gatherings at three churches over the weekend.

On Sunday morning, police responded to reports of gatherings atOld Colony Mennonite Church locations in Wheatley,Dresden andCharing Cross.

When an officer arrived in Wheatley, there were about160 cars in the parking lot, according to a media release from the police serviceon Monday.

• Two men charged after two church services with more than 100 unmasked people: Chatham-Kent police

• Charge laid after church service with more than 100 people in Wheatley: police

In Dresden,about 60 people were seen attending services, and inCharing Cross, 38 cars were outside and more than 90 wereinside the church, according to police.

Under the current provincial rules, indoor and outdoorreligious gatherings have a capacity of 10 people.

Under the Reopening Ontario Act, the minimum fine for hosting a gathering that violates capacity limitsis$10,000. The maximum penalty is $100,000 and a year in jail.

One person at each location a50-year-old man Dover Township, a48-year-old man from ChathamTownship, a 37-year-old man from Merlinhave been charged under the Reopening Ontario Act.

Similar charges have been laid several times in the municipality.