Two men in the Halifax area have been charged after allegedly not wearing a face mask and refusing to leave a business.
On Saturday just after 6 p.m., RCMP in Nova Scotia say they were called to a business in Upper Tantallon, N.S., where the two men “refused to leave without service,” after being asked to do so. Police say officers asked them to leave once they arrived, and the two refused again.
They were both arrested for causing a disturbance and were removed from the business, according to an RCMP release.
The two men refused to identify themselves at first, the RCMP allege, but then one of them provided his ID to police.
A 20-year-old man from Mineville, N.S. was issued a summary offence ticket for failing to abide by COVID-19 health restrictions, which mandate that face masks must be worn inside all public indoor spaces, including businesses.
Under the Health Protection Act, the ticket carries a fine of $2,000.
Police said the second man refused to identify himself and was taken to cells. He appeared in court on Monday and was identified as 24-year-old John Daniel Swinimer.
Swinimer was charged obstruction and causing a disturbance, and was also issued a summary offence ticket. He is set to appear in court again on Feb. 14.
“The RCMP is reminding everyone to follow all public health orders and municipal bylaws,” read the Tuesday release. “We all need to do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”