FILE PHOTO - BNA Brewing in Kelowna.

(JOHN MCDONALD / iNFOnews.ca)

With recent reports of unruly customers taking out their frustrations on restaurant staff, the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association is taking action with the Stand Up For Service campaign.

The association is reminding customers that 14,500 restaurants must follow provincial health guidelines to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

"Unfortunately, operators are facing real challenges from consumers unhappy with the restart conditions and taking it out on restaurant team members. The (association) has no tolerance for customers who aren’t respecting the reopening framework outlined by (provincial health officer) Dr. Bonnie Henry and the team in public health," reads a B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association media release.

Last week, a social media video went viral after a man was filmed screaming at staff about a delay in his order at a restaurant in the Shuswap.

A West Kelowna restaurant owner also asked customers to be respectful after his staff experienced the brunt of some COVID-19-related frustrations. 

READ MORE: Owner of Blind Bay restaurant who was screamed at by irate man has no hard feelings

“The increase in stories from around the province where guests are taking their frustration out on staff and owners isn’t OK," restaurant association CEO and president Ian Tostenson said in the release. "We can’t support this kind of behaviour – but we also don’t want it to be the core message around restaurants.”

“That is why today we are making a call to respectful guests. Nominate someone who is standing up for service and making dining in COVID-19 a great experience.”

The Stand Up for Service campaign asks those dining out to visit the association's website here and share their stories about a person or a business that is creating a unique and welcoming dining experience, according to the news release.

If you want to dine out, bring your good habits with you, be kind, or stay home as we're all in this together, the association said.

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