David Lindsay, organizer of the anti-COVID-19 restriction rallies in Kelowna, has been fined twice and may be facing further action.

(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)

Just because tickets haven’t been issued recently to two Kelowna groups violating COVID-19 restrictions doesn’t mean they will continue to get away with their offences.

The organizer of the weekly anti-COVID rallies in downtown Kelowna received two $2,300 fines but none for the last two weekends.

READ MORE: $2,300 fine issued to organizer of Kelowna anti-mask protest

Nor has the Harvest Ministries International church that has been holding in-person services been fined again in that time. It has also been issued two $2,300 fines. 

But further action may be taken against either or both.

READ MORE: Kelowna church hit with second $2,300 COVID-19 fine

“We are currently in discussion with our partners in the B.C. Prosecution Service and the provincial health authority to determine what our next best step is to address ongoing violations,” RCMP Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy said in an email to iNFOnews.ca today, Feb. 4. “I would also note that we are not required to issue these fines in the moment they are found committing an alleged violation.”

A Vancouver man was jailed last weekend for running what appeared to be a nightclub in his home. He and 77 guests were fined more than $17,000.

READ MORE: Vancouver police issue $17,000 in fines to partygoers, man running home 'nightclub'

While there may be discussions happening between the RCMP and provincial health authorities, Interior Health is not actively pushing for tougher action.

“I can’t see us doing more than what we are allowed to do in the sense of giving them a fine at this point and having discussions with them and having discussions with organizers to make sure they understand the impact of what they are doing and the potential impact of spreading the disease,” Interior Health's Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Albert de Villiers said during a news briefing today, Feb. 4. “If there’s anything more to be done we’ll have to have a discussion on a provincial level to make sure we’re consistent with what’s happening across the rest of the province.”

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