An employee at a Walmart in Dawson Creek was assaulted after asking a customer to wear a mask in the store.
The police stated that they responded to the store following reports of an assault on Wednesday at around 7 PM. After a review of the surveillance video, the RCMP arrested a 30-year-old man and stated that they are recommending charges of assault and mischief.
The man was released on a promise to appear in court at a later date. The video posted on social media shows a man on top of another man, raining punches down on him. The store employee suffered minor injuries.
Walmart Canada shared that it is providing support for the employee and is cooperating with the police investigation.
Masks are mandatory in all Walmart stores across Canada. B.C. announced last week that masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces to stem a surge in COVID-19 cases along with new penalties for anyone ignoring the order.
Violators are subject to a $230 fine, although anyone unable to put on or remove a mask without assistance is exempt from the rules.
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Learn more about face masks and how to stay safe by enrolling in a mask fitting test which is a requirement for many workspaces and schools or the available masks for sale by visiting our face mask sale page.
Our courses maintain social distancing measures with reduced class sizes to maintain the minimum 2 meters apart along with the mandatory use of face masks and regular temperature checks. The venue of the courses undergo regular, enhanced cleaning and disinfection routines.
For more information about face masks, check out these sources:
CDC: About Face Coverings for COVID-19 Prevention
Johns Hopkins Medicine: What You Need to Know About Coronavirus Face Masks