Restaurant owner fined for breaking distancing orders frustrated with 'ever-changing regulations'

The owner of aWinnipeg restaurantfined by the province after previous warnings about crowding on its patio sayshe has been trying to meet what he calls confusing demands from inspectors.

Chaise Corydonreceived a $2,542 ticket on Monday, a Manitoba health protection reportsays.

The violation was relatedto physical distancingon the patio, a provincial spokesperson said in an email. The Corydon Avenue restaurant was fined as a "followup to earlier warnings," the email said.

The restaurant failed to comply with public health orders instituted on June 1, intended to curb the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

But the owner says they made several attempts to adhere to public health orders and keep patrons two metres apart.

As of the beginning of this month, attendance at restaurants was restricted to 50 per cent of capacity and tables were required to be kept two metres apart.

Starting this week, restaurants are technically allowed to operate at 100 per cent capacity,but tables must still be two metres apart or separated by a barrier, and standing service is not permitted.

Chaise Corydon owner Shea Ritchie said the restaurant has had several visits from provincial inspectors lately. Thatincludesone on June 13 where Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority inspectors issued a written warning for overcrowding.

"The number of people on the patio was more than double the restricted allowable capacity," anLGCA spokesperson wrote in an email.

WATCH | Chaise Corydon owner describes why he thinks the fine was unfair:

Chaise Corydon owner describes why he thinks fine was unfair

4 years ago

Duration 1:29

Chaise Corydon owner Shea Ritchie feels health inspectors should've provided a written warning specifically about table proximity before issuing a ticket. He suggested that's what was at issue, not overcrowding, though he admitted a few weeks ago inspectors issued a written warning when the restaurant was overcapacity.

As per its protocols, theLGCA alerted Manitoba Health that a written warning was issued to the restaurant.

The restaurant was provided with guidance on how to comply, the province said Tuesday.

Ritchie said Chaise revamped the restaurant to ensure it adhered to the rules after the visits, but some patrons moved tables to combine or separate them based on group size, leaving some of the tables too close together.

A subsequent inspection found a few of the tables weren't distanced enough, said Ritchie, andhe thinks that's the reason for the ticket.

Ritchie saidhe's frustrated inspectors didn't first provide a written warning specifically for the table issue.

"They literally showed up and said, 'Yeah, no problem with the capacity, but now your tables are too close,'" Ritchie said.

"If you're going to fine someone, give them a written warning first. Otherwise, what's the point of the fine?"

He said communication from government and health inspectors has been poor, and that different inspectors appear to prioritize different elements of the public health orders. That's been confusing at times, he said.

"The government is extremely disorganized and we are trying to jump through all the hoops," he said via email.

Ritchie said he has never before been fined in the seven years he's been in operation. He ultimately wants to comply with orders but says it hasn't been easy with the "ever-changing regulations."

"It's not just because I don't want to get a fine. It's about reputation.I want to make sure people feel safe here.I want to make sure that I am doing things properly."

Provincial health officials have issued 15 warning advisory notices to licensees since May, along with providing some with additional education guidelines about the current health orders, a government spokesperson said.