House parties, backyard gatherings spark surge in York Region COVID-19 cases

Don't squander all our gains, Newmarket politician warns

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 21, 2020
Kim Zarzour

Residents in the quiet, upscale enclave in the Town of Newmarket first noticed the cars crowding into their neighbourhood cul-de-sac.

Then they saw caterers heading down the neighbour’s long driveway.

They noticed music wafting through the trees.

Then the bride.

No mistaking it, this was a wedding and yet another illegal, unsafe private gathering.

Turns out, this large home was listed on a short-term rental site as an event location, a way to circumvent the strict public health rules governing traditional venues like banquet halls.

Local politicians and Public Health officials say this “reckless’ behaviour must stop if we want to avoid ramped-up restrictions and another lockdown.

Ontario premier Doug Ford has just announced tightened restrictions on private gatherings, reduced to 10 indoors and 25 outdoors with higher fines for violation.

There have been three wedding-related clusters recently, Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region's medical officer of health said. One in York Region linked to 38 cases -- 24 York Region residents -- and two more associated with weddings in Toronto.

This week, lineups snaked through hospital parking lots as more people sought testing.

“The recent daily confirmed COVID-19 cases are concerning, particularly since we have not seen such high numbers since mid-June,” said the region’s spokesperson Patrick Casey.

On September 19, Ford said "alarm bells are ringing" and tightened the gathering restrictions. Previously, they were limited to 50 people indoors and outdoor gatherings to 100 -- provided physical distancing can be maintained.

But people seem to have forgotten that last part.

Unlike structured settings -- restaurants, stores and banquet halls -- that abide by strict rules, guests at casual gatherings tend to disregard about masks or being six-feet apart.

Kurji said the virus’ “attack rate” at these crowded house parties can be as high as 40 per cent.

“York Region in general is doing a fantastic job,” Newmarket Deputy Mayor Tom Vegh said, pointing to a 97-98 per cent level of mask compliance.

But when no masks are worn, and people gather without distancing, outbreaks can occur, he said.

“People then go shopping or get together with their families in their bubbles because they think their bubble is safe but it’s not, because they broke it.”

Restaurants and banquet halls have strict regulations, separating tables, requiring masks, no DJs with dancing etc.

But some try to get around that by renting private homes.

The recent wedding party was quashed thanks to vigilant neighbours, along with Newmarket’s strict rules for short-term rentals (requiring a licence, owner on site and no more than six guests -- the home was advertised for up to 100 guests), but Flynn Scott, manager of regulatory services, said enforcement can be a challenge.

On the weekend of Sept. 12, two more large gatherings were reported to the town.

The first was from a homeowner concerned their neighbour had violated the 50-guest rule. It was unclear if there were too many people inside the home but the host was compliant and agreed to turn down the noise, he said.

The second situation was more difficult thanks to intoxication and a non-compliant homeowner, but Scott said they fined them under noise bylaws ($200 for a first offence). Charges are pending.

Kurji said public health has been working with local municipalities and York Regional Police to enforce rules.

One local restaurant that was not keeping a list of patrons for contact-tracing purposes was charged between $800 and $900, he said.

But he added that laying charges on some restrictions can be complicated as “proper evidence” must be in place.

Newmarket Mayor John Taylor agreed with reducing the size of permissible indoor gatherings.

“The imposition on the public of limiting those gatherings is potentially far less than the possibility of a significant social wave, and if I have to have a few more upset emails in my inbox to play the role we should play in protecting the communities again … I’m certainly more than willing to do that.”

The focus is now on reminding people to be mindful of distancing and if an event is not adhering to public health guidance, don’t attend or report it to your municipality.

The recent wedding showed Newmarket is being vigilant, Vegh said. “This is dangerous. People need to understand COVID has not disappeared and we don’t want to squander all the gains we’ve made … We want to nip this in the bud.”