Winthrop Man Fined $300 For 30-Person House Party

WINTHROP, MA — A Winthrop man was fined $300 after hosting a house party in violation of state gathering restrictions, police said. Officers responded to Bellevue Avenue around 10 p.m. Sept. 12 after receiving several reports about a loud party.

Police said there were approximately 30 people in attendance, many of whom were violating social distancing and face covering protocols. The host, a 51-year-old Winthrop man, was cited for failure to comply with mandatory face coverings.

"Our community has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and willful disregard of the precautions we're all responsible for maintaining has consequences," Police Chief Terence Delehanty said. "Winthrop residents have been doing their part to curb the spread in of the virus in town, and everyone has to remain committed to making these shared sacrifices for the greater good."

Current state guidelines limit indoor gatherings to eight people per 1,000 square feet of indoor floor space and 25 people in a single enclosed space. Additionally, outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 percent of the maximum permitted occupancy, and all gatherings must be conducted in a way that allows at least six feet of social distancing between attendees.

People attending a gathering with more than 10 people are required to wear a mask or face covering, police said.