Toronto pizzeria temporarily ends indoor dining to avoid harassment on vaccine debate

Frank's Pizza House, which first opened in 1965, posted to social media they'd be closing indoor dining as of Wednesday when Ontario's vaccine passport system comes into effect. It affects entry into "non-essential" businesses like restaurants and gyms until further notice.

The pizzeria remains open six days a week, reports BlogTO.

"We're just not certain what's going to happen," Frank's owner Giorgio Taverniti said, adding the restaurant is "not anti or pro-vaccine."

He confirmed his whole staff was fully vaccinated but that he is "not sure what to do yet."

Taverniti said he is uncomfortable being put in the middle of the vaccine debate, predicting people from both sides will still come to his restaurant.

They're going to take their time to see how other restaurants deal with enforcing vaccine passports and will reopen when they feel comfortable.

He added that his 16-year-old daughter works as a server and doesn't want to see her yelled at by a patron opposed to the restaurant's stance.

Being visually impaired is also a challenge for him to check the vaccine passports independently, given he works alone during the day.

When they reopen for indoor dining, they hope to mainly use the app developed to check vaccine passports as that will be easiest for them.

Ultimately, Taverniti wished the province did "not leave it up to restaurant owners" who already have "so much going on."

He confirmed that they comply with all health regulations as outlined by Ontario Health.

Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday the "exceptional measures" being introduced, including the vaccine passport system, are "temporary" and will end "as soon as they can be responsibly removed."

"There are a lot of people who are concerned about this policy, and I want you to know that I hear you. I understand your concerns about protecting your civil liberties and right to privacy," wrote Ford.

He said proof of vaccination was mandated to prevent further business closures and lockdowns by limiting those deemed higher risk for transmission from entering "non-essential" businesses.