A passerby notified the police about a crowd of young people gathered at a small headland at the Pogoria III lake in Dąbrowa Górnicza. "We ID-checked 123 people either right before or right after 18 years of age. There wasn't even a 1-metre distance between them" - the police said.
Saturday at dusk, a small headland extending into the Pogoria III lake in Dąbrowa Górnicza (southern Poland). There's a bonfire spot there and a wild, sandy beach. A passerby notified the police right after he saw dozens of young people having a party.
"We ID-checked 123 people either right before or right after 18 years of age. They said they were celebrating their friend's first step into adulthood" - said Bartłomiej Osmólski, spokesman for Dąbrowa Górnicza police.
The 18th birthday party was only about to begin. Although the teenagers wore face masks, they did not keep social distance and violated the ban on public gatherings. "It's a narrow terrain, surrounded with water from three sides. There wasn't even a 1-metre distance between them" - Osmólski said.
Due to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government announced new restrictions. From March 27, pedestrians must keep at least 1,5-metre distance between each other. Social distancing is not binding when people are wearing masks, which aren't mandatory in forests, parks and beaches. On the other hand, public gatherings of more than 5 people are prohibited.
The spokesman said the officer in charge of the case of the birthday party at the headland would decide whether to issue fines or refer the case to the court. "They're old enough to stand trial" - he said. "They were peaceful. After ID-check they all went home".
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, TVN24 Katowice
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Silesian Police