Approximately 200 people, many of them not wearing masks and in close proximity, attended a party in Milford last weekend, costing the host $1,500 in fines for violating state coronavirus regulations.
The Aug. 22 gathering on Franklin Street — held “a stone’s throw from the police department” — prompted local officials to issue the town’s first COVID-19 fines to the property’s owner, who also hosted the party, since the pandemic’s onset, Health Officer Jacquelyn Murphy told Boston.com Friday.
Under an order issued by Gov. Charlie Baker earlier this month, the town levied three $500 fines for lack of social distancing, lack of mask wearing, and for holding a gathering with over 50 people, Murphy said.
She estimated, based on photos from police, that up to 20 percent of the attendees wore masks. Guests peacefully dispersed when authorities arrived, and no arrests were made, Murphy said.
“We wanted to make it clear that the governor’s state law is going to be upheld in Milford and also think … how you tell people you care about them is by enforcing rules in this moment that are set up to keep everybody safe,” she said.
Public health experts across the state have consistently warned of the dangers parties pose in spreading the virus as the pandemic rages on. In Nantucket, two recent COVID-19 cases were traced back to a beach party held last week, and officials in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have determined a bachelorette party held in the latter state last month created a coronavirus case cluster in the former after 19 of the 20 attendees fell ill.
For the most part, Milford residents have remained diligent in following the latest health regulations, according to Murphy. The Health Department frequently receives calls from concerned residents reporting observed lack of face coverings or improper mask wearing, she said.
Murphy said the occasion for the recent party was not immediately clear. A police report mentioned bingo and food at the event, she said.
“There are plenty of important reasons to gather,” she said. “Obviously, we know so many have had to cancel weddings … and there are a lot of people making a lot of sacrifices, and that is very hard. I just want to acknowledge that is part of this. But holding events like this only serve to harm people in a couple of weeks or (in) a month.”
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