Court grants preemptive injunction against protest at Whistle Stop Cafe

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has taken legal action against a planned protest at acentral Alberta restaurant that was closed Wednesday for repeatedlyviolating the province's COVID-19 health restrictions.

AHShas been granted a preemptive injunction by the Court of Queen's Bench against arally planned by the operator of the Whistle Stop Caf in Mirror, Alta.

A news release from AHS saysthe event is an illegal public gathering that does not comply with Chief Medical Officer of HealthOrder requirements for masking, attendance limits and physical distancing.

"The order restrains the owner and others from organizing, promoting and attending the event and includes police enforcement and imposes significant consequences on the organizers of this event and deters others from organizing similar events in the future," states the release.

The protest was promoted on social media and was planned for this weekend.

"It is extremely disappointing that people would knowingly put their fellow Albertans at risk by ignoring the current rules, particularly with increasing cases and the growing pressure on our healthcare system," states the release from AHS.

The injunction comes a day after health inspectors "physically closed" the cafein Mirror, whichoperated for months in defiance of public health orders intended to curb the spread of COVID-19.

WATCH | Whistle Stop shut down by health officials

Health officials shut down restaurant for repeated COVID-19 infractions

3 years ago

Duration 1:39

The Whistle Stop Cafe in Mirror, Alta. remained open for months in defiance of public health restrictions until Wednesday when health inspectors with AHS physically closed the restaurant.

The Whistle Stop is located about 70 kilometres northeast of Red Deer and includes arestaurant, convenience store, gas station and campground.

• Health officials shut down central Alberta restaurant for repeated COVID-19 infractions