The Granary Kitchen in Alberta had to close its dining room last Friday after Alberta Health Services discovered that the restaurant was accepting dog photos from their patrons instead of proof of vaccination.

Restaurants in Alberta are required to ask customers for either proof of vaccination, a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours, or a medical exemption.

The health department had launched an investigation into the restaurant's violation of the Covid policies last week and sent two undercover diners to the restaurant. Both were allowed to dine after showing dog photos. According to the Alberta Health Services,

In both instances, facility staff used a tablet to make it appear as if they were scanning a QR code when in fact the staff member was presented with a photograph of a dog. The staff member then proceeded to ask the test shopper for personal identification and offered dine in services.

It was a really tense investigation. I wish I were an undercover health inspector. It sounds like a dream job really.

The restaurant posted to their Facebook page, apologizing for the incident and saying they had retrained staff.

They basically said, "Don't blame us! It's the teenage hostess's fault!"

The health department was apparently satisfied with this excuse and allowed the restaurant to reopen its dining room on Monday.

TBH if I were a restaurant hostess in Canada right now, I'd definitely accept dog photos (or even better, baby photos!) in lieu of complying with dumb rules and having to turn away paying customers.

Dog photos are great. And so is freedom.

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