Campbell River RCMP broke up a fight involving about 13 people early Sunday that they say would have been prevented if people have been following physical distancing measures.
Officers were called to a fight in progress at on Dogwood Street in Campbell River after 2 a.m.
When police arrived, they found roughly 13 people from at least two different groups involved in a physical altercation in a 7/Eleven parking lot.
Police said a group of adults and a group of youths were partying in different places and ended up in the parking lot at the same time when the fight started.
Police said the cause of the fight is under investigation, but it was clear that if people had been following physical distancing measures “the event simply wouldn’t have happened,” said Const. Maury Tyre.
Police expressed disappointment that the people involved ignored public health measures in order to party together.
They noted that although each group appeared to have designated drivers, there were members of several different households travelling in a single car.
“I recognize it’s difficult and a little lonely during COVID times, but going out to hang with your besties or drinking buddies is totally contrary to what we as a community are being asked to do. Especially when people travel together in confined spaces,” Tyre said.
Campbell River RCMP are appealing to the public to co-operate with public health protocols designed to prevent the spread of the virus.
That means staying home at much as possible, washing hands frequently, going outside with the people in your household and maintaining two metres distance from others when outside.
