A downtown Vancouver Tim Hortons had its business licence suspended for violating the orders of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry limiting restaurants to take-out and delivery service.
The city’s property use inspectors visited the Tim Hortons at 108 West Pender on four different occasion and issued several warnings. The coffee shop’s business licence was suspended on March 26 and will be in effect for three days.
According to a City of Vancouver information bulletin issued late Friday afternoon, property use inspectors have visited more than 5,800 restaurants and 1,000 “personal care facilities” since March 20 when Henry ordered all restaurants in the province halt dine-in service. On March 21, she ordered all salons, spas and tattoo parlours to close in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Residents have also been reporting establishments not complying with Henry’s orders. The city’s 311 call centre has received 69 complaints about restaurants and 11 about personal service establishments not in compliance.
Individuals and businesses found to be in violation of a City order issued under the State of Emergency bylaw are liable for fines of up to $50,000. To date, the City of Vancouver has not issued any tickets for such violations.
On March 20, city manager Sadhu Johnston made the order to close restaurants and suggested operators switch to take-out and delivery service.
“The City is pleased to see how responsive restaurant owners have been to date and thanks the vast majority of businesses that are taking the directions from the City and public health officials seriously,” the statement reads.
