Surrey RCMP is urging Vaisakhi celebrants and Kissan supporters to keep Public Health Orders in mind this weekend.
Unfortunately, large-scale Vaisakhi celebrations have been canceled again this year in Surrey due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is anticipated that many community members will participate in small COVID-friendly celebrations. Surrey RCMP is also aware of Kissan rallies and a Sikh motorcycle event set to take place this weekend.
Surrey RCMP is urging the public to abide by current Public Health Orders which have placed restrictions on outdoor gatherings and prohibit indoor gatherings. Outdoor social gatherings are permitted with up to 10 persons with the following conditions:
- Space needs to be big enough that all attendees can be spaced out 2 meters
- All attendees must remain 2 meters apart unless they reside in the same house
- If one of the 10 leaves they cannot be replaced by another person
- Hand sanitizer supplies must be readily available
- Nobody is allowed inside the residence except to use the washroom
- The gathering cannot enter a fully enclosed structure
The Surrey RCMP COVID-19 Compliance and Enforcement Team (CCET) will be conducting increased patrols throughout the weekend enforcing the Public Health Orders as well as ensuring public safety.
“This is a challenging time for the community and we understand that with the nice weather, it may be tempting to gather in large groups to celebrate,” says Inspector Harm Dosange, Surrey RCMP Community Safety Officer. “We cannot emphasize enough the importance of following the Public Health Orders to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”
Anyone wishing to report violations of the COVID-19 public health orders should contact the City of Surrey Bylaw call centre at 604-591-4370 or the Surrey RCMP non-emergency line at 604-599-0502.