Brantford woman charged for hosting ‘illegal social gathering’ on New Year’s

Brantford police say a woman has been charged for hosting an illegal social gathering" early New Year's Day.

In a release, police say around 1:20 a.m. on Jan. 1, officers received a report of a gathering at a home involving attendees from more than one household."

When officers attended the residence, a 30-year-old woman from Brantford was charged for failing to comply with the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA).

In an email to The Spectator Monday, police spokesperson Robin Matthews-Osmond could not provide any further details about the size of the gathering, the number of families involved, if any attendees were charged and if the individuals co-operated with police, as the information is unavailable."

Police are reminding residents that under the ROA, businesses and organizations must ensure that face coverings and masks are worn by staff and members of the public in all indoor establishments with limited exceptions."

They're also reminding residents that under the provincial lockdown restrictions, gatherings with people from other households are not allowed and attendees and organizers can both be fined under the ROA.

Those fines can range from $880 for attending to $10,000 for organizing.

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com