‘They’re killing small business’: Vancouver restaurant ordered to close after pushing back against indoor dining restrictions

Federico Fuoco, who owns Gusto in Olympic Village, told News 1130 Friday that the newest indoor dining ban would be "the final nail in the coffin" for restaurants and that he would not obey the order. Fuoco had already lost one business, Federico’s Supper Club, in April after 21 years of business. Just hours after that interview, Vancouver Costal Health placed a notice ordering the restaurant to close on Gusto’s front doors.

A source tells The Post Millennial that the owner will reopen on Monday despite orders that oppose his operation.

BC health officials ordered on March 29th for restaurants across the province to discontinue indoor dining for at least three weeks. Restaurants would be allowed to continue outdoor dining and takeout, but restaurants would still be taking a large blow to already restricted business. The ban came as a response to surging case numbers, with BC recording 1,013 new cases on March 31, the highest single day number.

Fuoco expressed the reasoning behind his action, and his frustrations with what he considers inconsistent COVID policies.

"The reason is not to be disrespectful and irresponsible is because there’s no blanket policy that covers other businesses like Costco, liquor stores, Walmart. There’s no restrictions there," said Fuoco.

"It’s unfair the goalposts keep moving. There’s no science, there’s no proof that the outbreaks are coming from restaurants, and there was no consultation. Enough is enough. They’re killing small business, it’s a slow death. So all we ask is for proof, and the science to say restaurants are the cause of outbreaks," he continued.

"Whether I agree or disagree with that, at least that’s fair Why are some exempt and others aren’t? That’s not fair. It’s not right...Someone has to stand up and say enough is enough," he said.

Mike Farnworth, the Minister of Public Safety for British Colombia, told News 1130 that Fuoco would be hit with a $2,300 fine for defying the order, and could potentially lose his business license over his defiance.

"I think he’s being pretty irresponsible," he said, adding that officers will be out enforcing the orders this weekend.

"I don’t think they’ll take kindly to someone deliberately thumbing their noses at the provincial health officer’s orders, and being very public about it," said Farnworth.

"It’s just mind-boggling that people still don’t get it. The health orders are there for a reason," he added.

Farnworth also addressed Fuoco’s concerns about the scientific legitimacy of the restrictions, saying they were scientifically sound and evidence based.

"He’s required to follow the provincial health officer’s orders, and they’re pretty clear — no indoor dining. So I don’t understand why he thinks he’s so special that he doesn’t have to follow the orders when everybody else does," continued Farnworth.

Gusto was hit financially when Covid restrictions forced Gusto’s capacity to shrink from 40 to 10 people indoors. In addition, Fuoco spoke about the thousands of dollars in preventative measures that he and other restaurants have spent to accommodate the province’s restrictions.

"We’ve done everything they’ve asked for. We’re completely responsible and completely respectful. We’ve done all these protocols we’ve done all these measures, you know, nothing’s good enough for them. It’s insane and it’s criminal, they don’t realize how it affects businesses, how it affects livelihoods. We have to put food on our tables for myself, for my employees," said Fuoco.

In another blow to business, the order to stop indoor dining comes just before Easter weekend, where businesses could potentially lose a lot of business.

"This time they’ve gone too far. It’s a year later, a year after the first lockdown, and then they do this to us again without any warning whatsoever. Restauranteur friends of mine, they’ve spent thousands on produce, poultry, meats, and everything preparing for this week and Easter weekend. It’s all gone, they’re all suffering. This can kill these businesses. This last order, this could be the final nail in the coffin," he said.

Fuoco isn’t the only person frustrated with the sudden restrictions. In a video allegedly taken at Corduroy in Vancouver, patrons from an anti-lockdown rally chanted “get out” to COVID enforcement officers when they came into the restaurant.