By Dylana Kneeshaw

POTENTIAL SUPERSPREADER

“It is really disappointing”: IH Medical Health Officers denounce ‘camping music protest’ in Kamloops

Mar 23, 2021 | 3:39 PM

KAMLOOPS — Interior Health officials were disappointed to hear of a recent party in the Kamloops area that attracted hundreds of participants.

Kamloops RCMP say on Friday evening (Mar. 19), more than 200 people were found taking part in a ‘camping music protest’ in the Tranquille / Criss Creek Road area.

Interior Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Carol Fenton says she was disappointed to hear of the gathering. Fenton notes she’s constantly concerned about things that could drive up COVID-19 case numbers in the community — especially events such as the one reported.

“Ultimately, parties are still not allowed. Gatherings are not allowed,” she reiterates. “It is really disappointing to hear given how hard the rest of the community is working to keep everybody safe and keep themselves, their loved ones, and their community members safe.”

According to Fenton, the recent ‘camping music protest’ presents a definite risk to stable community transmission levels.

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“As the local health area, we will be responsible for monitoring symptom patterns, increased tests and investigating as well as following the RCMP and provincial investigation results closely to see if they have any actions for us.”

IH Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Albert de Villiers also commented on the event and reiterates how seriously Interior Health takes these incidents. He notes that the health authority can take action under the province’s state of emergency.

“We do have the power under the act as well to write tickets to people. Sometimes it is a little bit difficult to pinpoint who exactly organized it but in a situation like this if we can pinpoint who organized it there can be a ticket issued to the organizer as well.”

Anyone with information regarding this event or anyone who is able to identify the organizer is asked to contact the Tk’emlups RCMP detachment at (250) 314-1800.