The owner of The Vintage Apron Cafe in Capalaba, Queensland, has been arrested for failing to adhere to public health orders.
It’s alleged Pierre Coorey did not follow directions which included wearing a mask, displaying QR codes and requesting customers provide proof of vaccination.
Police issued warnings to the cafe owner after receiving a number of complaints from the public, however the business did not comply.
The force attended the premises in December last year, with customers chanting loudly at police to leave. A $1378 fine was issued.
Coorey was arrested at the cafe on Sunday and has now been charged with offences including obstructing police and failing to comply with a COVID-19 health order.
“If someone, or a business, for example a coffee shop business, deliberately tries to breach the new requirements for vaccination venues, then action will be taken,” said Police Minister Mark Ryan.
The cafe has now been evicted from the shopping centre in which it’s located.
Coorey posted on The Vintage Apron’s website confirming he “chose not to discriminate against those who choose not to disclose their private medical information.
“On the 16th of January, I was violently arrested in front of patrons at my cafe Vintage Apron in Capalaba by 3 police who came in 5 police cars,” reads the statement.
“The crime? To not discriminate against the public I serve against unjust mandates. I was locked up and will have to front court. I have also been evicted from the premises due to not requiring your private medical information and being a non discriminatory business.
“I now have to vacate the premises and restore the shop back to the empty, original state which will be costly and find a new location to start over.”
Queensland health orders currently require business owners to check the vaccination status of customers, staff and other visitors, collect contact information for contact tracing purposes and operate according to a Covid Safe checklist.
Coorey will appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on 15 March.
Image credit: Daily Mail