Coronavirus: Man fined $750 for playing basketball in Kitchener park

A man playing basketball in a Kitchener park amid the coronavirus pandemic was fined $750 over the weekend.

A spokesperson for the city said a group of people were playing basketball in McLennan Park on Saturday when a bylaw officer asked them to stop.

Most did but one refused after several attempts were made to ask him to stop and was issued a fine.

4:24 How to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic

“I’m angry,” Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said on Twitter. “When a sports field or basketball court is closed by @ONgov emergency order due to #covid19wr, it means its closed.

“People, your bad choices cost people their lives.

The Ontario government issued an order banning gatherings of five or more people on March 28 with a few exceptions.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The City of Kitchener has also banned the use of all recreational facilities, a measure that includes sports fields and basketball courts.