Man receives $230 fine after refusing to wear mask, swearing at Victoria restaurant employees

Victoria Police have issued a $230 fine to a man who refused to comply with COVID-19 rules at a downtown restaurant over the weekend.

In a statement released Monday morning, VicPD said they were called to a restaurant in the 1400-block of Store Street for reports of a violation of the COVID-19 Related Measures Act (CRMA).

According to restaurant staff, a patron refused to wear a mask while not seated at the business, in violation of their pandemic safety plan.

Police say when staff asked him to wear a mask and follow health guidelines, he became belligerent, repeatedly swore at them, and refused to put on a mask.

As he was leaving the eatery, the man exaggeratedly coughed toward staff.

VicPD officers were able to immediately find the man after responding to the incident. He was detained and then issued a $230 violation ticket for abusive or belligerent behaviour in defiance of current Provincial Health Orders.

“This behavior is inexcusable,” said VicPD Chief Del Manak in a tweet Monday morning.

“Staff are just trying to do their job. They deserve better.”

Several fines and violation tickets have been issued in Greater Victoria over the past few months to people who refused to follow COVID-19 safety measures.