Health officials temporarily closed a Canadian restaurant after investigators discovered the restaurant was accepting dog photos instead of vaccine cards or negative test results for inside dining.
The Granary Kitchen in Red Deer, Alberta, was found to be in violation of the stringent indoor operation rules, as defined in Canada’s Restrictions Exemption Program, on Jan. 11, according to officials.
“Specifically, complaints were received … indicating that employees are allowing patrons to dine-in when presented with a photograph of a dog and personal identification,” they said in the order statement.
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Under current regulations, restaurants and other indoor facilities in Canada are required to mandate proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test result, or medical exemption, according to a report.
Two individuals were sent to the Granary Kitchen by the Alberta Health Services to address complaints the restaurant violated the rules. Once there, the two individuals said they were served after presenting their identification and a dog picture, officials said.
Officials went to the restaurant twice, the report noted.
“In both instances, facility staff used a tablet to make it appear as if they were scanning a QR code when in fact the staff member was presented with a photograph of a dog,” officials said.
The Granary Kitchen confirmed its closing Friday.
“We had an unfortunate circumstance at our front door which involved one of our underage hostesses, and the requirements for the REP program,” the restaurant said in a Facebook post. “We are taking the weekend to retrain and regroup. We look forward to serving you again as soon as we are ready to reopen. In closing we would like to remind everyone of the tremendous pressure being placed on front staff, and please remember to be kind.”
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If the restaurant wishes to reopen, it will be required to submit a written plan to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, retrain its staff, and attend an Environmental Public Health administrative hearing.
