Kingston's top doctor calls for harsher penalties to curb student parties

The medical officer of health forKingston, Ont.,is urging city officials to take more drastic action to prevent careless partying among post-secondary students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Kieran Moore ofKFL&A Public Healthtoldcity councillorsonTuesdayhe believes they should hike fines for anyone caught violating public health orders by gathering in groups of more than 50 indoors or 100 outdoors.

Moore said university students in particular continue to gather in large groupsin spite of the current $500 fine for "nuisance parties."

He's urging councillors to hike the penalty to $2,000 for first-time offenders, who would then be referred to the courts if they're caught again, where they'dface a subsequent fine of up to $100,000.

Moore also urgedQueen's University to begin expelling students who violate the order, something hesaid is permitted under the school's of conduct.

He saiduniversity administrators who have been hesitant to take that action may need a "nudge" to "make the right decisions" when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

"This is already in the student handbook," Moore said. "We're not reinventing the wheel. We just want to see it utilized."

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However, Moore likened convincing Queen's to take that action to "nudging an oil tanker."

Representatives for Queen's University did not immediately reply to a request for comment by The Canadian Press. The mayor's office could not immediately provide comment.

Lower limits coming in some places

Moore's recommendations come as the provincial government announced it will lower the limits on social gatherings in a bid to stem a recent increase in COVID-19 cases.

Premier Doug Ford's office has confirmed the move but won't say when the new health guidelines will be released.

Kingston has been mostly spared, reporting only 117 cases over the course of the pandemic as of Tuesday five of them known to be active and none inhospital.