Restaurants fined for inadequate physical distancing

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This article was published 23/06/2020 (1549 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Restaurants may be able to let more patrons through their doors or on their patios, but they still have to follow physical distancing guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19 or it will cost them.

Chaise on Corydon received an expensive lesson on Monday when health protection officers found it was in violation of public health orders. It was issued a $2,542 fine.

“Chaise on Corydon was fined for breach of public health orders relating to social distancing measures on their patio,” a provincial government spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

“The restaurant was also provided further guidance on compliance.”

The spokeswoman said the restaurant had been warned a few times before it was finally ticketed.

Under phase three of the province’s gradual reopening of the economy, which came into force on June 21, restaurants in theory no longer have restrictions on the number of patrons they can serve or let in the door, but, in reality because tables have to be two metres away from each other or have barriers between them, several restaurant owners say it has forced them to limit the number of patrons they can serve to about 25 to 35 per cent of their normal clientele numbers.

Meanwhile, Lee’s Buffet, located on 18th Street North in Brandon, was also issued a ticket on June 6, for $2,542.

The spokeswoman said the restaurant was fined for violations of both physical distancing measures and for operating a buffet. While restaurants have been allowed to reopen, the province has still ordered both buffets and drink refill stations to remain closed.

When the ticket was issued, restaurants were restricted under the province’s phase two plan of only allowing 50 per cent of their usual clientele into the indoor dining room or on a patio, as well as keeping tables two metres apart.

“The restaurant was provided guidance on compliance,” she said.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca