A Petrolia restaurant is one of two businesses in Lambton County who were fined during a three-day blitz by the provincial government.

Lambton Public Health says provincial offenses officers from several different ministries coordinated with Lambton Public Health and the City of Sarnia visiting restaurants, recreational facilities and other businesses which require proof of vaccination to enter.

Public Health officials say 164 inspections were done and five charges were laid.

The owner of Athena’s on Petrolia Line, Tom Stoukas, posted a video of two provincial offenses officers, one wearing a large MTO on his jacket (Ministry of Transportation), entering his restaurant Friday. They tell Stoukas they are in the area doing education on the COVID-19 protocols and he says he’s too busy to talk to them on a Friday.

But Stoukas does make sure the provincial offenses officers know “There has not been one case (of COVID) – not one – linked to this restaurant. I say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

“You guys are come to destroy this business and destroy everyone else’s business.”

The officers left but returned later. “Athena’s has been fined. The MTO guys snuck back and dropped off three fines while we were working. Cowards out to destroy small business. Will be fighting this in court,” he wrote on Facebook.

“These types of campaigns have been held in various regions throughout Ontario. They are developed based on locally identified needs, outbreak and transmission information, previous complaints and non-compliance,” said Mike Gorgey, Manager of Health Promotion for Lambton Public Health in a news release.

Stoukas social media page shows provincial offenses officers had contacted him at least two times before the blitz about complaints they had received.

“We understand people are frustrated and tired of these public health measures, but in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and avoid future lock downs in our community, it is imperative we all continue to do our part and stay vigilant.”