Staring no excuse for maskless coughing: police

A man and woman have each been fined for pretending to cough on customers in a gym just steps from Vancouver police headquarters.

A statement from police says the owner of the gym flagged down two passing constables outside the business Saturday night.

He said a man and woman, who were not wearing masks and were not members of the gym, were inside coughing in the general direction of patrons and equipment.

A 60-year-old man and his 25-year-old girlfriend told the officers they were only pretending to cough.

Police say the couple claimed they reacted because gym members were staring at them.

The police statement says both people left the business after being handed $230 tickets for violating the Emergency Program Act by failing to wear a face covering.