Hospitality franchisor and Rashays’ founder Rami Ykmour was arrested and charged last week when police arrived at the Chester Hill, Western Sydney head office to check on Covid-19 breaches.
Media reports showed Ykmour facing off police who had been alerted to a breach of the stay-at-home-orders which require any workers to wear masks indoors.
According to 7 News, two members of staff were found to be not wearing masks. Ykmour, who was masked, said the staff members were eating, and replaced their masks after their meals.
However police allege the restaurant founder became aggressive, and declined to give police his personal details.
Ykmour was arrested and taken to a police station. According to 7News, the restaurant boss was issued with a notice for obstructing police and he is set to appear before Parramatta Local Court in August.
The two staff members at Rashays were each fined $200 for not wearing a mask.
Ykmour told Sunrise this morning “I was embarrassed by the situation, I wish it was handled better on the day.”
Speaking to the breakfast tv show he said everyone should be working together.
“I felt it was us against them, and I didn’t like that,” he said. “I don’t understand why things escalated. We’ve got to support the police, that’s the number one thing, they’re out their to do their job. Everyone’s under pressure at the moment.”
The incident followed a boosted police presence in areas of south west Sydney following an increase in Covid cases.
The local government areas of Fairfield, Liverpool and Canterbury-Bankstown have been identified as particular hot spots in the current spread of the infection.
Prior to the confrontation Ykmour, who is a popular social media figure, posted an Instagram video calling out the New South Wales government for a lack of direction and failure to engage directly with businesses under lockdown.
He said the government was relying on media updates to inform the business community and a more direct approach would be appropriate.
Rashays was contacted for comment.
