Business owners face confrontations and plead for passport compliance
The owners of the Fireside Grill & Bar said they were ready to check customer vaccination records Wednesday.
And, given their positive experience regarding masking rules earlier in the pandemic, Co-Owner Tom Imeson was not expecting confrontations.
“Part of it is the way you handle it. You can’t get your back up, you've got to stay calm.”
But, just seconds later, as his interview with CTV News London wrapped, Imeson's tactics had to be put to use.
At the front of the restaurant, his business partner Jeff Rowe, had an encounter with an agitated father and his adult daughter angry they were asked to show their vaccination record.
“They basically said we’re not coming back and we’re leaving!” Rowe explained.
He hopes the pair, and others who may follow, come to understand they are not the only eatery refusing eat-in service to those who will not produce their passport.
“You’re not going to another restaurant unless they’re breaking the law.”
Jeff Rowe and Tom Imeson are seen seated in their restaurant, the Fireside Grill and Bar, in London, Ont., Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
While it is true patios remain available to the unvaccinated, Wednesday’s weather is not cooperative.
A workout on the patio is also not an option at London’s Fitness Forum.
The gym on Southdale Road East marked its first day welcoming only vaccinated members. One of them, Tony Vandello, says he applauds vaccine passports.
“I have had the COVID, I know what that’s like, so this a great thing to do.”
Vandello did not contract the virus at Fitness Forum, where owner Alex Pinchin says he has worked to ensure pandemic regulations are met.
Tony Vandello, a member of the Fitness Forum gym on Southdale Road East in London, Ont. is seen while working out on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. Vandello battled COVID-19 earlier this year. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
Pinchin remains frustrated the new rules are not clearly laid out. He also worries about his staff potentially facing an agitated, unvaccinated member.
Still, over the morning hours Wednesday, no confrontations had occurred.
Pinchin says well less than one per cent of memberships have been cancelled over the implementation of vaccination passports.
“We had some people that have emailed us with very poignant discussion about how they disagree, but we have not had that on-site yet.”
And on the contrary, Pinchin believes passports will convince a few members, frightened off since the pandemic began, to return.
“We’re hoping this is the event that puts them in that frame of mind.”
And a new frame of mind is what all business owners impacted by passports must now face.
Back at the Fireside, Rowe implores everyone to not harass his staff for a measure they must follow.
“This is the choice that we have to take to stay in business and stay open.”
Sue Reaume is seen inside the Fireside Grill in London, Ont. on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
And Customer Sue Reaume is among the majority of clientele happy to comply.
“I think it’s a great idea, it should be done. If you’re vaccinated you don’t have any issues.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.