Renegade Kitchen and Bar on Leon Avenue in Kelowna.

(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)

A Kelowna restaurant was ordered to close earlier this week for not following provincial health protocols around COVID-19.

Interior Health received numerous complaints that Renegade Kitchen and Craft Bar, located on Leon Street in downtown Kelowna, refused to check vaccine cards and the health authority provided the bar with information on current provincial health orders, Sept. 20.

The healthy authority then received additional complaints of non-compliance, according to the health authority’s order posted to the door of the restaurant.

The restaurant then tried to operate as an event-only venue but Interior Health said it still had to check proof of vaccinations.

On Oct. 4, a warning letter was issued to the restaurant for non-compliance and on Oct. 5 the restaurant requested for an update to the orders, which had not changed and already been provided, and it had still not indicated it was checking vaccine cards, according to Interior Health.

The restaurant was ordered to close Thursday, Oct. 7, until it can provide Interior Health with a plan on how it will operate following provincial health regulations, according to the health authority.

“It is important to stress that the Provincial Food and Liquor Serving Premises Order is in place to protect patrons and staff at restaurants and bars and reduce the risk of additional COVID-19 exposures in the broader community,” said Karl Hardt, senior communications lead with the health authority, via email.

“Interior Health is following up on complaints related to non-compliance with the proof of vaccination requirements. A progressive compliance approach is being used starting with education and escalating to closure and/or ticketing when necessary. Out of respect for businesses working towards compliance, details are made public once any fines or orders are issued.”

Renegade owners could not be immediately reached for comment. Its website said it is temporarily closed and to "stay tuned."

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