Now that outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people are being allowed in B.C., bars and restaurants are reporting that large groups of people are showing up and expecting to be seated at a patio.
Yellow Dog Brewing in Port Moody recently posted on Facebook that it has “noticed an increase in aggressive behaviour towards our staff surrounding COVID protocols.”
“It’s completely offside to be yelling at staff members because you disagree with public health protocols,” Jeff Guignard from B.C.’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees said.
“Some patrons come in and try and tell us or our staff or our owners that they’re allowed to gather outside on the patio.”
B.C. recently eased COVID-19 restrictions to allow up to 10 people to gather as a group outdoors, but that rule doesn’t include visiting a restaurant or bar patio. Current guidelines state people should only be dining at restaurants with their household six.
“The same restrictions are in place in bars and restaurants and pubs,” provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Monday. “So yes, outdoor patios but the maximum is six.”
The post from the Yellow Dog Brewing asked patrons to review its tasting room policies, which includes a limit of six people per party, that tables and chairs should not be moved and customers should not leave their seats to chat with another group.
“We are getting a little tired of having to babysit adults who should know better,” Guignard said.
While restrictions remain in place for bars, breweries and restaurants, some Metro Vancouver cities like Port Coquitlam have allowed legal public drinking in certain neighbourhood parks.
Guignard said the difference between public parks and patios is hard for some business owners to swallow.
“I don’t know why ultimately you’re allowed to gather 10 people outside in a park somewhere but not allowed to have 10 people on a patio, but those are the rules right now,” Guignard said.