Winnipeg’s Monstrosity Burger seems to have found a unique alternative to deal with provincial vaccine passports..Owner Dave Jones told the Western Standard his restaurant struggled through the pandemic and at times was nearly bankrupt..After battling with health authorities for months, Jones said in an effort to “comply” with the health orders, but not break any laws, he decided to set up a COVID-19 QR scanner and posted a note for his patrons..“The Government requires you to scan your Vaccine Passport QR Code to present your Private Medical Records in order to Dine-In,” the notice reads..“In ‘compliance’ we have provided a Government QR Code Scanner with the Government App.”.The sign requests that patrons not ask “any staff for help or assistance” and indicates the restaurant staff do not work for the government and will not assume liability for requesting private medical information pointing to a reference from the Human Rights Act..The notice goes on to instruct patrons — should they need assistance — to contact Manitoba Health Services or Manitoba’s Chief Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin with phone numbers included for each.. Monstrosity BurgerPicture of notice at Monstrosity Burger .Jones said his burger joint in Winnipeg’s Tuxedo neighbourhood was ticketed eight times in September and was slapped with a total of $67,000 in fines to date. A public health notice was also posted on the door ordering the establishment to remain closed for dine-in service in October..The notice said the restaurant had violated the government health order requiring businesses to ensure those entering are fully vaccinated..“We were literally on the verge of bankruptcy,” said Jones..He sent a letter to the health authority indicating he and his wife planned to open the restaurant again and would have a QR scanner set up for patrons to use, but noted he and his staff would not police it..Jones said he went back and forth with health authorities and ultimately sent them a final letter asking if the health authority was directing them to break the law..“I sent them a letter and list all the laws they were asking us to break and told them we didn’t want to be liable for asking people to show their private medical information and they never did respond,” said Jones..“So, we opened up and have been open for the last two and-a-half months without issue until yesterday,” said Jones, adding he was served on Wednesday to appear in court on January 26..“We have had a lot of support,” said Jones..“People have been coming from hours away to support us because people are just getting tired of all this.”.Monstrosity Burger isn’t the first business to push back against COVID-19 provincial health orders and the vaccine passports..Calgary’s Without Papers Pizza was ticketed, fined and lost its business licence in October for not complying with city bylaws and public health orders..The City of Calgary put out a press release on October 7 stating it was suspending the establishment’s business licence after receiving “many complaints” from the public..The pizzeria’s website states: “We accepted all and paid the price. Without Papers Pizza was forced to close on October 9th, 2021 as a result of our refusal to be in compliance of the City of Calgary Bylaw 65M2021.”.A Kelowna, BC gym also recently took a stand when BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry ordered all fitness facilities and gyms closed..The owner of Iron Energy Gym West Kelowna took to Facebook on Tuesday to blast the government for “shoving fear in peoples’ faces.”.The post stated the gym is “not willing to comply anymore” and encouraged members to continue to come and bring phones to “record anything that happens.”.“If anyone shows up at our gym and tries to shut us down, we want it blasted all over the Internet,” writes Iron Energy..On Thursday, Iron Energy — after learning its business license has been pulled — posted an open letter to West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom claiming it is being “bullied” and “silenced.” .Gyms, fitness centres and dance studios, along with bars, nightclubs and sports tournaments were ordered closed by the government as of December 22 in an effort to protect hospitals from the rapid spread of the Omicron variant..The restrictions are expected to be in place until at least January 18..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
