‘Idiots’: Parry SLAMS cafe protestors flouting COVID rules

A restaurant in Perth’s north has reopened after police stormed the venue on Monday night, charging several unvaccinated staff members — including the owners — with breaching COVID-19 rules.

Topolinis Caffe in Warwick opened at 5pm on Tuesday, just like the eatery’s owner said it would following the arrest of his wife and daughter the night before. Both women were not at the venue for the reopening.

Police officers moved in to shut down the Warwick restaurant about 9pm on Monday, after a member of the public reported that staff were unvaccinated, and were allowing unvaccinated customers to dine in.

It came four hours after police visited the business to advise the owners of their obligations under the Emergency Management Act. That visit was after they had already attended the business at 1pm on the same day.

Owner Phil Jardine’s wife and 22-year-old daughter, who both were working at the restaurant when police moved in, were charged with breaches of the Emergency Management Act.

Three other staff members were issued infringements.

Unperturbed, Mr Jardine vowed to reopen the following day, telling The West Australian at the time “I can’t stand down. If I stand down they win”.

WATCH THE VIDEO IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

The declaration resulted in a suburban standoff between anti-mandate protesters, police and the media on Tuesday night.

Footage taken by 7NEWS showed a rowdy group of unmasked protesters yelling their support for the restaurant as it opened its doors.

One minute after the venue opened, police walked in to check the vaccination statuses of staff.

Police confirmed all staff there were vaccinated.

It is understood they plan to return later on Tuesday night to check whether patrons’ certificates had also been reviewed.

Mr Jardine’s wife, Jodie, 51, and his daughter were not at the venue, with The West told they “aren’t coming in tonight”.