Small Business Minister Paul Kirby says souvlaki shop owners ‘bloody idiots’
An NT government minister has put the heat on a Nightcliff souvlaki business whose owner was arrested for alleged Covid noncompliance.
Northern Territory
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A GOVERNMENT minister has lashed the owners of a Nightcliff takeaway venue as “bloody idiots” after it was shut down over alleged noncompliance with Covid-19 restrictions.
It follows a day of high drama out the front of the Souvlaki Grill and Chill, after its owner Violet Tolios was issued with a $25,000 fine and then arrested on Wednesday afternoon in front of a crowd of anti-mask protesters.
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Police had allegedly observed three staff members working without masks, customers not wearing masks and the lack of a Covid-19 check-in facility, but Ms Tolios’ husband Michael said they were “not bothering anybody.”
Speaking in the wash-up of these dramatic events on Thursday morning, Small Business Minister Paul Kirby said the souvlaki outlet was an example of how seriously the government was taking compliance with Covid-19 restrictions.
“I think the rest of the small businesses through the Northern Territory, that have done the right thing, that have had to lock down, have got every right to be really disappointed with businesses like the souvlaki store,” Mr Kirby said.
“I think they’ve been bloody idiots right through, to be honest.”
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