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Who owns Basilico's Pasta E Vino? Restaurant asks diners to prove they HAVE NOT been vaccinated

Tony Roman has called Covid-19 vaccines 'proof of anti-American stupidity' and is asking diners for 'proof of being unvaccinated'

California is seeing a sharp ascent in the number of coronavirus cases a month after the state dropped all restrictions. While the masking and vaccine requirements have been reinstated, Huntington Beach's restaurant Basilico's Pasta E Vino views this as a violation of the liberty and freedom of the American people. The business has made its anti-mask stance clear and they don't encourage masks and masked individuals inside their restaurant. They have taken things one step ahead by declaring they will only cater to unvaccinated patrons.

According to a news release from July 21 by the Department of Public Health, California, there is a twentyfold increase daily in COVID-19 cases. 2,251 new confirmed cases were registered along with seven deaths in Los Angeles County. "People who are not vaccinated are at the highest risk of getting infected with COVID-19. Unvaccinated adults who are older or who have certain medical conditions are at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease," the release read. The department urged people to wear a mask, get vaccinated, and avoid crowded places amongst other things. However, Pasta E Vino does not seem to be on the same page as the department. 

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Who owns Basilico's Pasta E Vino?

Basilico's Pasta E Vino in Huntington Beach, California opened its doors in 1999, and even when Covid-19 required all businesses,  barring essentials, to shut down, this restaurant did not pull the shutters ever. The restaurant owner started an anti-mask campaign in 2020 and anyone showing up at the restaurant's doorstep with a face covering was asked to leave or wait outside. The restaurant's owner Tony Roman whose mother Rosemarie is the appointed head chef said, “I’ve always viewed forcing masks on Americans as a symbol of control and surrender."

Roman does not encourage masking policy for his staff as well. "It’s our rule, if they don’t want to work here, they don’t have to work here," he said. A table at his restaurant will turn out to be an unachievable feat if customers insist on covering their faces with a mask. “For me it's a cultural thing, to see Americans being forced to mask up, it’s almost like a white flag," he said. Taking it one more step ahead with their anti-mask and anti-vax belief, the business has come out with a merch line that currently features slogan T-shirts that take a cue from 'The Godfather': "Leave the vax, take the cannoli."

After refusing to shut down their business multiple times last year, including when Mayor Gavin Newsom's ordered it in December 2020, the restaurant declared itself mask-free after face-covering was mandated. The restaurant posted on Saturday, June 27, 2020 on social media stating, “So to be clear, if you enter the restaurant for dine in, and want to wear a mask, you must remove it when sitting down. If you are standing around inside and waiting for a table, or waiting inside to pick up food for yourself or as a third party delivery driver, and you are wearing a mask, you will be asked to wait outside.”

In a recent development, the restaurant has put up a sign outside saying they will only serve unvaccinated people. Patrons will be required to carry proof of the same and produce it when asked. "Notice: proof of being UNvaccinated required. We have zero-tolerance for treasonous, anti-American stupidity. Thank you for pondering."

"These people in Huntington Beach requiring proof of NO VACCINATION will be the same ones in a few months sharing their GoFundMe's for funeral expenses," wrote an Internet user on Twitter after Huntington Beach where the restaurant stands, started to trend on Twitter. "Super spreader restaurant alert in Huntington Beach, California," tweeted another user. "California has a few pockets full of dumbo Conservatives that can even give #FloridaMan some competition in the ignoramus department. The restaurant Basilico’s Pasta E Vino in Huntington Beach,CA is an example of that inbred stupidity," another tweet read.