Revelstoke RCMP arrest woman who refused to wear mask in restaurant

RCMP have arrested a 43-year-old woman for refusing to wear a mask in a Revelstoke restaurant.

The woman was given two $230 fines, one for not wearing a mask, and the other for abusive and belligerent behaviour.

According to a Revelstoke RCMP media release, the incident took place at a restaurant on Highway 1 on Dec. 6. Police got a call about the woman who after multiple requests from the restaurant's staff still refused to wear a mask as per the current Public Health Order.

When an officer arrived at the restaurant at roughly 5:20 p.m. they explained the regulations and she still refused to leave. She was then arrested for allegedly causing a disturbance in a public place.

The woman was issued with two $230 tickets under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act for allegedly failing to wear a face-covering in indoor public space as well as abusive and belligerent behaviour.

She was released while outside the restaurant on an undertaking to appear in Revelstoke Provincial Court and not go back to the restaurant.

"Both the business staff and the police officers who attended the call attempted to reason with the female and explain the current Public Health Order. However, in the end, the woman refused to comply with police direction and action was taken both criminally and through the issuance of provincial violation tickets," Revelstoke RCMP Sgt. Chris Dodds said in the release.

RCMP say they continue to take a measured approach with the Public Health Order and continue to educate the public to comply with the Order and to respect that local businesses are following the direction of the province during this pandemic.

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