SAULT STE. MARIE -- Despite recommendations to reduce social circles in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, a large religious gathering of approximately 270 people at a Sault Ste. Marie hotel is being allowed to proceed by public health.
The event at the Quattro Hotel began on Sun., Oct. 4 and according to Algoma Public Health, meets the federal and provincial guidelines on gathering limits during the pandemic.
"Ultimately, those who are choosing to do these gatherings, need to understand the risk and also feel comfortable taking that risk on," said Jennifer Flood, a public health nurse at Algoma Public Health.
Flood said private gatherings are limited to 10 people, but for business and organizational gatherings, they may have a 50-person capacity at indoor facilities. Regulations also allow religious services to have up to 30 per cent capacity of a room. Since the event is taking place at a staffed facility, it is not classified as a private gathering.
"In a larger facility, they may be able to accommodate larger numbers by putting up partitions, to separate rooms and areas and then allowing 50 in each of these areas, as long as physical distancing can be maintained," she said.
The hotel said its gone above and beyond in order to meet the guidelines that have been put in place.
Its general manager says the 270 participants have been spread out amongst the 13 halls within the hotel, ensuring physical distancing is being practiced and keeping numbers low.
"So when we saw that we're comfortable with it, they're comfortable with it and Algoma Public Health felt confident about it, we would obviously want to do it," said Mike Braykovich.
With many coming from outside of the Sault, Braykovich said they were as concerned with their own safety, as the hotel was for itself.
"We made sure we were fully in compliance to do this," he said. "We've worked on this for over a year now and it's no secret how much the pandemic has devastated the hotel industry."
Despite being compliant, Braykovich said that he and his staff have received backlash and in some cases, death threats, after the event was publicized over social media.
"To get this kind of bullying, lynch, hysteria, on social media, it's disappointing," he said. "There's a perception that we've put the community in jeopardy and do not care, when that couldn't be further from the case."
Algoma Public Health said it still doesn't endorse any gatherings during this time, in spite of the rules seeming almost contradictory.
"I know it can be confusing for everyone," Flood said. "Those gatherings that are occurring that meet the regulations and legislation, there's not much that public health can do to stop these events."
