The Interior Health Authority (IHA) has ordered a martial arts studio in Kelowna to cease operations for violating provincial COVID-19 regulations.
“On Wednesday, the IHA issued a Provincial Health Act closure order to Flow Academy,” said Lance Kayfish, Kelowna City risk manager.
Continue reading:
COVID-19: Unlicensed Kelowna gym under investigation for anti-mask and anti-vaccine guidelines
“The city worked with IHA on this file. If they continue to violate the order, further enforcement is expected, ”he said in an email.
The Flow Academy website previously stated that face covering is prohibited in martial arts school.
The website goes on to say that people vaccinated against COVID-19 will be denied new memberships.
The story continues under the advertisement
2:04
The Okanagan bakery owner is fed up with anti-maskers ignoring the public health order
Okanagan’s bakery owner is fed up with anti-maskers ignoring the public health order – February 19, 2021
“Interior Health visited Flow Academy on the evening of April 20 with RCMP and city officials to execute a search warrant and the operator refused entry,” Interior Health said in a statement.
“We issued a closure notice at this point based on continued non-compliance with public health regulations and non-compliance with a judicial inspection warrant.”
The regional health authority said it is considering additional enforcement measures.
It’s not the first time Flow Academy and its owner Tonya Aguiar have had problems with health officials and law enforcement.
IH said inspectors flanked by RCMP made several attempts to inspect the gym in February but were physically denied entry.
Trend stories
-
Ottawa’s advice on stricter border measures won’t stop flights from India
-
Ontario reports nearly 3,700 new COVID-19 cases, 40 deaths when ICU patients exceed 800
On February 25, Aguiar was issued a violation ticket for disturbing a health officer attempting to exercise a power under the Public Health Act.
The story continues under the advertisement
According to Interior Health, the gym offers group workouts that are currently banned by the provincial assembly for gatherings and events, and therefore “contributes to the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak in a location that poses a health risk.”
According to Kayfish, Flow Academy on Sutherland Avenue has never had a business license to operate in the city. He said the gym applied for a business license in March but that it was denied.
Continue reading:
Coronavirus: Kelowna, BC, Church presented second violation ticket for defying crowd gathering order
“We declined to do this for two reasons: First, because we didn’t think they were currently in compliance with public health regulations, and because they didn’t get permission from Interior Health to work as they are,” he said.
The city has approved the business six times to operate without a business license, Kayfish said. The total fines are $ 3,000.
2:08
Extremists who show up at anti-mask rallies: experts
Extremists at anti-mask rallies: Experts – December 9, 2020
The controversial statements against masks and vaccines on the gym’s website have since been removed.
The story continues under the advertisement
The Flow Academy has now launched a fundraising campaign asking backers to send money via email to keep the lights on.
Continue reading:
“This Incident Is Not Isolated”: Kelowna Restaurant Owner Talks About COVID-19 Confrontations
“We want to make it clear that NO money raised through donations will be used to pay for tickets or fines of any kind, or for legal fees,” the website said.
“All proceeds from the donation will be used to meet the basic needs of the company and the owners, such as monthly bills during this time.”
1:55
The customer at the BC gas station hurls a racist slur at an employee trying to enforce the mask rule
The customer at the BC gas station hurls a racist slur at an employee trying to enforce the mask rule – November 30, 2020
The gym did not immediately respond to a request for comment or indicate whether they will comply with the order.
© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
