Manitoba

2 Winnipeg restaurants given $2,542 fines for defying health orders

The Pony Corral on Pembina Highway and the Arabesque Hookah Cafe and Restaurant on Corydon Avenue were both ticketed on Wednesday, according to a Manitoba health protection report.

Arabesque Hookah Cafe on Corydon and Pony Corral on Pembina fined

The Pony Corral on Pembina Highway was fined $2,542 for having too many people on its patio, a provincial spokesperson said. (Google Street View)

A pair of Winnipeg restaurants have been dinged with $2,542 fines for failing to comply with provincial health orders around the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pony Corral on Pembina Highway, south of Chevrier Boulevard, and the Arabesque Hookah Cafe and Restaurant on Corydon Avenue near Hugo Street, were both ticketed on Wednesday, according to a Manitoba health protection report. 

Both failed to comply with orders instituted on May 4.

That's when Phase 1 of the province's reopening strategy began, which allowed restaurants to reopen patio services.

Under the rules, restaurants have to ensure people on patios are seated at least two metres apart, and that thorough cleaning is done every time a customer leaves — including cleaning tables, chairs, condiment containers and any other shared items like menus and napkin dispensers.

Dining rooms were required to remain closed under the health order.

The Arabesque Hookah Cafe and Restaurant on Corydon Avenue was one of two restaurants fined by the province. (Google Street View)

The Pony Corral's breach involved having too many people on its patio, a spokesperson for the province said, while Arabesque was fined for operating its indoor dining room.

Neither restaurant has responded to an interview request from CBC News.