ByWard Market restaurant charged for not following COVID-19 protocols; City also looking to charge second establishment
Posted Aug 15, 2020 04:10:00 PM.
A ByWard Market restaurant was charged for not following COVID-19 protocols, Mayor Jim Watson has confirmed.
According to Watson, the restaurant was issued one charge under the Emergency Measures and Civil Protect Act for failing to comply with the emergency order on Friday.
The restaurant, he said, wasn’t ensuring that patrons were seated properly. There is also a charge pending for another establishment, he added.
Details of the pending charges were not given.
“It’s essential that we all do our part and follow provincial orders to help stop the spread of the virus,” Watson said.
Watson did not say which restaurant in the ByWard Market was issued the offence, neither did he reveal the second restaurant that will potential be charged.
On August 13, it was reported that the City of Ottawa had only issued one charge under its temporary mandatory mask bylaw.
Since the bylaw was enacted on July 15, officers have issued 143 verbal warnings across the city as of August 13.
One restaurant, Manara Café on Hunt Club Road, was already given a $490 fine for failing to post the required signage at every public entrance.
Bylaw officials say a court summons was also issued to the proprietor for permitting smoking in an enclosed public space.
Ottawa's mandatory mask rule will expire at the next city council meeting on August 26, but will be up for reapproval at that time.
– With files from Mike Vlasveld
