Police fine a Brantford woman for having a New Year's Eve party

Brantford police say they've charged a 30-year-old woman for having a New Year's Eve party.

Officers went to a home around 1:20 a.m. on Jan. 1 after a report of "an illegal social gathering involving attendees from more than one household," Brantfordpolice said in a media release.

Then they charged a woman with failing to comply under the Reopening Ontario Act, which governs physical distancing aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Under the emergency order, people can only gather with others in their household, police say. If not, each attendee can be fined. Those violating the act can be fined $880, and those organizing a gatheringcan be fined $10,000.

Theact also states that the person can be imprisoned for "not more than one year," while corporations can be fined up to $10 million.

Hamilton Police Service, meanwhile, says it broke up a party too.

Police say they broke up a party of about 19 people in the east end and fined the host.

Bylaw officers ticket Hamilton businesses for breaking rules

Last Call Bar and De Rosa Bakery are facing multiple fines in relation toCOVID-19 rules, according to the City of Hamilton.

The city's website says Last Call Bar was fined by bylaw officers five times on New Year's Day for an "indoor gathering." The four fines to De Rosa Bakery, dated Jan. 2, were related to a gathering as well, the city says.

On New Year's Eve, fines were doled out to Pagoda Downtown Restaurant for exceeding the maximum capacity and for no physical distancing.

Hamilton bylaw officers also fined Tony's No Frills, located at 770 Upper James St., citing infrequent screenings for the virus. A Shoppers Drug Mart onMohawk Road East was ticketed for no screenings.

Other holiday charges include a pair to Centuraon Nebo Road. The city said itdidn't have a safety plan posted and stayed open for indoor shopping despite the province-widelockdown.

Big Bear Food Mart on Aberdeen Avenue and the Food Basics at Mohawk Road West were both fined for breaking masking bylaws.