The George Street Association is seeking clarification around Covid-19 rules following a recent large gathering on the pedestrian mall in downtown St. John’s.

Photos circulating on social media last Thursday depicted large crowds in the middle of the mall on Water Street.

Don-E Coady looks after marketing and communications with the George Street Association, which represents businesses on the popular bar district. He says their members have been doing their best to adhere to public health guidelines, but he says last week’s incident on the nearby pedestrian mall left them scratching their heads.

Coady says there’s a perception of a double standard, given the security and enforcement measures on George Street versus what he’s seen on neighbouring Water Street. He says he walks the pedestrian mall frequently and often finds himself shoulder-to-shoulder and unavoidably in close proximity to others.

Coady acknowledges there was a learning curve for all businesses in the early days of Alert Level 2, but says their members quickly adjusted to the new safety protocols.