A Saanich homeowner gambled and lost after they were slapped with a COVID-19 violation for hosting a poker party with more than six guests.
On Saturday, November 14 at approximately 10 a.m. Saanich Police officers responded to reports of a large gathering at a home in the Broadmead area.
Officers discovered seven people sitting around a table playing poker in the garage. When police spoke to the homeowner, they learned that none of the seven poker players, as well as three additional people inside the residence, lived there.
All ten guests left and the homeowner was issued a $2,300 ticket under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act, for contravention of the Gathering Events Order.
The Order relates to holding an event at a private residence with more than six guests who do not reside there.
Saanich Police say this is not the first time they have investigated this particular home for violations of Provincial Health Orders.
At the end of October police responded to a similar report at the home, and issued a verbal warning and provided information on health orders in place at the time.
“We will continue to investigate reports related to the Provincial Health Orders currently in place and we hope that incidents such as this create community awareness and encourage compliance of the measures the province has put in place to keep us safe,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades, Public Information and Communications Officer.
