Over the past two weeks Princeton RCMP have been called to about 10 incidents involving people not wearing makes, as required by provincial health orders related to COVID.
So far, no tickets have been written.
“We want to take the education and compliance route,” said detachment commander Sgt. Rob Hughes. “Whether or not you believe masks help is not the point.”
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Business owners contact police when a customer enters but refuses to wear a mask.
In one instance, a man entering a business was given a mask by a store clerk, and he deliberately put it on backwards.
Another man challenged at a business for not wearing a mask claimed he had a mask exemption, without explaining what that meant.
“It usually leads to an argument,” said Hughes.
By the time police are called to an anti-mask confrontation, the offender has usually left the area.
“You should expect that we will come looking for you.”
Hughes stressed that store owners have the right to refuse service to someone not complying with provincial health orders.
Related: VIDEO: Woman arrested at Kelowna Value Village after refusing to wear mask, leave
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