Cafe goes to new level to rise above rules
A Christchurch eatery appears to be moving to a ‘‘members only’’ system to avoid paying its fines for breaching Covid-19 guidelines.
Level One cafe and bar in the seaside suburb of New Brighton received two infringement notices totalling $16,000 from WorkSafe in February after inspectors found the premises was not checking the vaccine pass status of patrons, nor did it have vaccine pass-related signage, as required by law.
No-one was checking vaccine passes and none of the staff were wearing masks when Sunday StarTimes visited in January. A sign on the door forbid photos being taken inside.
The Star-Times understands the cafe’s owner – listed as Rebecca Tavete – has ignored WorkSafe inspectors’ pleas to adhere to the rules and is moving the business to a ‘‘members only’’ system in an attempt to avoid paying fines. However, the fines will apply regardless of the business’ privacy status, WorkSafe has said.
Social media posts and a sign on the door of the cafe refer to it being open to members only. ‘‘Very soon we will be open to members only,’’ a post read.
Tavete could not be reached for comment on Friday or yesterday, but it is understood the new system was implemented on Tuesday and that it includes patrons having to sign a contract on entry. Staff were not wearing masks.
One longtime customer of the cafe, who did not wish to be named, said she expected its staff to endeavour to keep themselves and their customers safe.
‘‘I feel a bit p .... d off that they don’t, and I didn’t know,’’ the customer said. ‘‘If I’d known they weren’t abiding by the rules I could have chosen to go there or not. Seems a bit duplicitous to me.’’
A WorkSafe spokesperson said its role was to enforce current legislation, and there had been no changes to the Covid-19 legislation made yet.
WorkSafe took an educate-first approach but would issue fines to those who refused to comply.
Level One is not the first Christchurch business attempting to avoid fines for Covid non-compliance. Lotus Heart restaurant has received seven infringement notices totalling $44,000 for failing to adhere to health-and-safety guidelines. Owner Bhuvah Thurston is now asking customers to sign private contracts before entering the store which refer to pledging donations and a ‘‘covenant of silence’’.
Thurston has repeatedly declined to respond to questions from the Star-Times and trespassed all staff of The Press newspaper from her restaurant last year.
Neither Level One nor Lotus Heart has paid any amount of their current fines.