Doc Willoughby's server says group of anti-maskers were uncooperative after Saturday's rally

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A Bernard Avenue pub says a group of health-order protesters were uncooperative after the so-called mega-rally on Saturday.

Lauren Bridgman, a server at Doc Willoughby's, says a group of rally participants had a reservation for 4 p.m. after the protest today. The pub was expecting to host two tables of six people.

"The first person who showed up wasn't wearing a mask. She also refused to scan her I.D., which is the policy we have and I believe almost every restaurant has right now," explains Bridgman.

Doc Willoughby's and many other restaurants and pubs scan I.D.'s and record names/phone numbers for contact tracing. "It's just protocol," Bridgman says.

As the woman was waiting for her guests, Bridgman explained that she and anyone in her group would have to wear masks and scan I.D.'s upon coming in.

When the group arrived, Bridgman says they refused to do so. "I politely asked them to make their way out and I told them that we couldn't serve them today," she continues.

"A couple of the men started getting heated, so some other customers that we had in here started to back me up to help me get them out the door until they refused to leave."

"They were pretty upset with us, they threatened to sue us and said that what we are doing is not right," she adds.

Bridgman says she recognizes everyone has their own opinions about the health orders, but Doc Willougby's and other B.C. businesses are lucky to be open right now and they will continue to abide by provincial health orders.

"We're trying to get back to eventually have our band nights in here again and be back open until 2 a.m.," Bridgman explains.

"We follow the rules, our customers always follow the rules – there's few people [in Kelowna] that aren't happy about following the rules," she adds.