Quiet crackdown underway for COVID-19 vaccine card scofflaws

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Restaurants and other businesses in B.C. that have been refusing to ask customers for their COVID vaccine card can now expect a visit from authorities.

The Ministry of Public Safety tells NEWS 1130 “compliance and enforcement action” is underway by multiple agencies in communities across the province.

It comes more than a week and a half after the province adopted a proof of vaccination program, where people entering certain non-essential settings must show they have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

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BC Foodservices Association president and CEO Ian Tostenson estimates about 50 to 60 restaurants across the province have been refusing to check vaccination status. While he knows the province has started to quietly make moves on those businesses, he hasn’t heard of any getting closed as a result.

“The government will be very strategic how it acts. It’s not going to be reckless, especially their powers to levy a fine and or close a business that’s a very substantial penalty. They want to be organized, which is why we haven’t seen anything yet.,” Tostenson told NEWS 1130.

“There is some enforcement that we understand has happened that we probably will never even hear about because there’s matters of privacy which is fine, we don’t have to hear about it as long as we get people in compliance.”

Restaurant refuses to comply

While the Ministry of Public Safety won’t share individual cases or circumstances of enforcement at this time, at least one establishment says it has been handed an expensive ticket as a result of defying the order.

The restaurant in Fernie, in the East Kootenay, shared on social media it was handed a $2,300 fine from Mounties, and it plans to fight it.

But Tostenson notes the majority of restaurants are complying and those who are not, are getting heat from those who are.

“We are getting complaints from legitimate restaurants saying the restaurant next door, the bar next door, they don’t care,” Tostenson says, adding the association is feeding the information to the province.

“When you have a business that seems to think they’re beyond whatever and they’re gonna serve a market of really anti- sort of vaccine inclined people, that’s not fair. I mean, it just is not fair and businsess owners get really frustrated.”

Some restaurants changing gears

There are some restaurants that have changed their business model to avoid having to ask customers for their vaccine card.

Among them, Fresgo Inn Restaurant and Bakery in Surrey.

“I like to go with the law, but so long as everybody is included. I don’t see why some people are not included,” owner Walter Wolff told NEWS 1130 about the rules not applying to fast food restaurants.

“I changed everything around. I got no waitress, I got no liquor, I got signs all over explaining to people no liquor.”

Wolff says he didn’t have an issue with the vaccine card until he found out fast food restaurants weren’t included. He also doesn’t think vaccination is something he should be policing.

“I’m double vaccinated and I am not against it. Everybody who comes to my restaurant got to wear a mask. That’s the best I can do and stay within the law,” he added.

He says his life has been made easier by removing his liquor license to make his establishment similar to a fast food restaurant to comply with the exemptions.

Under the provincial health order, licensed restaurants and cafes (meaning they can serve liquor) as well as restaurants and cafes that offer table service (with servers) are required to check for proof of vaccination. The rule applies regardless if the food or liquor are served outside or inside.

In addition to police officers, liquor and cannabis inspectors, gambling investigators, conservation officers, and public health inspectors can enforce the public health order, according to the Ministry of Public Safety.

Read more: Where you need your B.C. vaccine card 

Currently, there is a grace period, which means any sort of proof of a vaccine dose will be accepted as long as someone also shows their government issued ID. But, starting on September 27 only the BC Vaccine Card with ID will grant entry to places like restaurants. By October 24 only patrons with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed entry.