But Dinesh Khanna of Khanna Banquet hall, one of two halls that were fined (the other is rumoured to be Dhaliwal), told DESIBUZZCanada that he takes offence to the City and Surrey RCMP’s characterization that his business is a repeat offender as he’s had no issue from any of the authorities checking his hall, including the health officials. “We are not a repeat offender at all and in fact, we have complied with everything so I don’t know why they are saying that,” Khanna said.

By R. Paul Dhillon

SURREY – Two Indo-Canadian banquet halls were hit with $2300 fines as Surrey RCMP and Bylaw Enforcement team gets aggressive in enforcing COVID-19 restrictions. 

Surrey RCMP issued four violation tickets to businesses and event organizers last weekend, following what they called were repeated contraventions of the provincial health officer’s COVID-19 orders.

But Dinesh Khanna of Khanna Banquet hall, one of two halls that were fined (the other is rumoured to be Dhaliwal), told DESIBUZZCanada that he takes offence to the City and Surrey RCMP’s characterization that his business is a repeat offender as he’s had no issue from any of the authorities checking his hall, including the health officials.

“We are not a repeat offender at all and in fact, we have complied with everything so I don’t know why they are saying that,” Khanna said.

Khanna Banquet hall received the $2300 fineSaturday night by City of Surrey officials who told him that he had 57 people in the hall even though he disputed, saying that includes staff members and a couple of kids. The City officials refused to listen to his pleadings and handed him the ticket anyway.

“I make $500 profit and now I’ve got $2300 fine – you tell me if it’s worth staying open in this environment where we can’t control customers’ behavior and the officials don’t have any compassion or understanding how we are trying to stay in business,” Khanna told DESIBUZZCanada. “I have to rethink about staying open as this is just one big headache.

Meanwhile a press release from the Surrey COVID-19 Compliance and Enforcement Team (CCET)  said following the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s announcement on August 21 of new fines for non-compliance with COVID-19 health orders, the CCET issued $2,300 fines to one restaurant, two event/banquet spaces, and one after hours club on August 23. They claimed each of these places had been subject to previous warnings by CCET.

They said that unfortunately, a number of Canuck fans celebrating the team’s win on August 21 also chose to ignore physical distancing requirements when upwards of 1,000 people gathered at the corner of Scott Road and 72nd Avenue. Surrey RCMP and Delta Police Department were in attendance however, due to the size of the crowd, their focus had to remain on pedestrian and traffic safety. A total of seven violation tickets were issued for seat belt violations as a result of occupants hanging out of windows or sunroofs.

 “Canuck fans who gathered in large groups without masks on Friday night should consider this to be their warning,” says Sergeant Roger Green of the Surrey COVID-19 Compliance and Enforcement Team. “The public and the police are not happy with the disregard for physical distancing and expect you do to better for the sake of your families, yourselves, and your fellow residents.”

CCET said it conducted a total of 429 checks on Saturday and Sunday at various businesses, event spaces, and faith-based institutions, with 425 of those in compliance with provincial health orders.

Meanwhile Khanna agrees with his BC Banquet Halls Association, which held a press conference on Monday in Surrey, asking either the government increase the capacity to 100 or they should pull the plug on their businesses amidst COVID-19

Association president Sukh Mann says they’re in a difficult position between the stringent government rules and customers asking banquet halls to bend social distancing rules.

Mann adds they’re also losing tens of thousands of dollars in revenue due to the 50 person rule for large events.

“We’re fighting with the client and we’re fighting with the government. And we’re making nothing. We don’t have a choice. We’re not being treated fairly. How do we recover or recuperate our losses? We don’t make any money out of that. We’re just basically doing community favours,” he says.

Mann explains some people who blame banquet hall workers are not getting the full picture.

“Let’s put it this way, the wedding happens at the house. On Monday, a tent gets put up for 50 people and they put one up at the neighbour’s house for another 50 people, so you got 100,” he says.

Since March 2020, CCET has been proactively conducting outreach around Surrey to ensure that residents, business owners and organizations understand their obligations to stop the spread of COVID-10 by following health orders. CCET, which is made up of Surrey RCMP officers and City of Surrey bylaw officers, conducts approximately 60 proactive compliance checks each day, as well as responding to calls for service.

The Surrey RCMP and Delta Police will be present at 72nd Avenue and Scott Road following each Canucks playoff game to ensure the safety of celebrants, drivers and pedestrians in the area. We are asking everyone to ensure that they are complying with COVID-19 public health orders while celebrating – this includes no congregations of more than 50 people in one area, and maintaining physical distancing.

Residents wishing to report a violation of a COVID-19 public health order should contact the City of Surrey Bylaw call centre at 604-591-4370 or the Surrey RCMP non-emergency line at 604-599-0502.