Vancouver restaurants defying COVID-19 orders will face consequences, says public safety minister

B.C.'s public safety minister says businesses that continue to keep their indoor dining spaces open in defiance of COVID-19 rules will face consequences as the province works to bring surging infections under control.

The warning from Mike Farnworth comes after a Vancouver restaurant that flouted restrictions by serving patrons indoors was slapped with a closure notice on Saturday, which its owner has indicated she intends to ignore.

"Harassment of enforcement officials will not be tolerated, and closure orders by Vancouver Coastal Health or any other health authority must be respected,'' Farnworth said in a statement.

"There most certainly will be consequences for those openly ignoring and defying orders that are intended to keep British Columbians safe.''

Health inspectors were shouted out of a Vancouver restaurant on Saturday by patrons dining indoors in contravention of public health orders.

Corduroy Restaurant on Cornwall Avenue in Kitsilano has continued to serve patrons indoors and has been slapped with a closure notice, but its owner suggests she will reopen after restocking on food.

Vancouver Police Const. Tania Visintin says a liquor co-ordinator from the department also visited the Corduroy Restaurant on Saturday night in response to several complaints throughout the day.

Visintin says no one was arrested at the eatery and no tickets were issued, adding any further action would be taken by provincial health authorities.

The closure notice was issued by Vancouver Coastal Health after concerns from the public.

In a video posted on Facebook, Corduroy's owner is seen speaking to a bylaw officer as unmasked customers in the packed eatery start chanting "Get out.''

The post ends by saying that the restaurant will reopen Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Health minister says rules are clear

Vancouver Coastal Health also issued a closure order on Thursday for Gusto in the Olympic Village after owner Federico Fuoco refused to end indoor service in compliance with the latest COVID-19 rules.

The B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association has called for the immediate closure, fining and business license revocation of any business defying health orders.

"There is no place for this type of complete disregard for public safety and the rule of law", said president Ian Tostenson in a written statement.

He added that thousands of restaurants in B.C. have chosen to comply with the health orders.

"The actions of a few selfish, arrogant, and irresponsible restaurant owners do not in any way reflect the significant effort this industry has made to ensure public safety."

B.C.'s health minister weighed in on the situation during a Sunday media availability, stating that the restaurant closures will be enforced and that rules banning indoor dining are very clear.

"It's obviously hard for restaurants and the implications to stop indoor dining are profound for them, but it's necessary right now to stop the transmission of this virus, which is vicious and it doesn't listen to our debates," said Adrian Dix.

No indoor dining until April 19

British Columbia's Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a public health order last week banning all indoor dining due to a sharp jump in COVID-19 cases.

Anyone hosting a non-compliant event can currently be issued a violation ticket of $2,300, while individuals face a $575 fine.

The province has since seen daily case numbers top the 1,000 mark in recent days, including setting a single-day record of 1,072 infections.

Patio seating and takeout orders are still allowed as part of the new public health order, which will last until at least April 19.