Northern Health has applied for a court-ordered injunction to close down a Prince George nightspot.
The agency filed a notice of civil claim in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on Monday, saying Lambda Cabaret is continuing to violate provincial health orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It says inspectors attended the club on February 18 and found patrons were being admitted without showing proof of vaccination and that signage notifying patrons that masks must be worn had not been posted at the entrance.
As part of the notice, Northern Health is also seeking an order authorizing the RCMP to arrest and remove anyone should the nightspot remain open in defiance of the order.
A hearing before a judge is schedule for Friday in Vancouver.
The step is the latest in a series of enforcement measures that began in early February when Lambda opened its doors in defiance of an order that liquor-primary premises remain closed. It was at that time that the Freedom Convoy had converged on Ottawa and a rally in support was held at Exhibition Park in Prince George.
On February 16, Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry eased restrictions and allowed liquor primary establishments to open but they must obtain proof of vaccination from patrons and both staff and patrons must wear masks.
The day after the visit by the inspectors on February 18, Northern Health issued a closure order but, according to the filings to the court, Lambda opened on February 19, 25 and 26, "openly boasting 'Zero Mandates' on its social media page."
Unvaccinated people in close contact with other people can promote transmission of the virus and the rise in risky behaviour associated with consuming alcohol is "specifically associated with increases" in the spread of COVID-19, Northern Health says in the filings.
"Programs that require proof of vaccination, such as the Public Health Orders, promote vaccination uptake, thereby reducing transmission and reducing the burden on health care systems," Northern Health adds.
Lambda's "ongoing operation presents a significant risk of causing a health hazard," Northern Health also says in the filings.
The nightspot's owner, Linda Allen (now Linda Wolf) and Learn to Earn Bartending School and Consulting Ltd. are also named as defendants.
Lambda has not yet filed a response and requests from the comment from the Citizen had not yet been answered on Tuesday morning.
