A BC Woman Was Arrested For Trespassing After Refusing To Wear A Mask At Value Village

The pandemic has brought along with it a whole new brand of crimes, offences, and consequences that never existed before. For example, the B.C. mask mandate has made facemasks mandatory in all indoor public spaces. 

With that, stores and businesses reserve the right to refuse service to those who aren't wearing masks and law enforcement is equipped to enforce punishment for rule-breakers.

On November 22, Kelowna RCMP received a complaint that a woman was trespassing in a Value Village "as she had been requested to leave after refusing to wear a mask upon entering the store and refused to do so," said the police release emailed to Narcity. 

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Frontline officers attended the location but despite numerous efforts by officers, the woman refused to leave the store. Kelowna RCMP

The release continued to say that the 41-year-old woman was hitting officers and screaming throughout the entire interaction. 

She was taken into police custody for causing a disturbance and obstructing a police officer. 

The news release said that "businesses have the responsibility due to the recent public health order to ask their patrons to wear face coverings or non-medical masks while on the premises and to refuse service for non-compliance."

They explained that people do have the right to leave the business or not go there in the first place if they don't want to wear a mask.

"We highly encourage everyone to respect provincial health orders for their safety and the safety of others," the release concluded. 

The woman has been released on conditions and is awaiting a court date. 

This article's cover photo is for illustrative purposes only.