[ad_1]
The Department of Labor will launch an enforcement blitz this weekend in the York region to ensure companies are following the proper protocols to protect workers and customers from contracting COVID-19.
Non-essential businesses remain open in the York region during what is traditionally one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.
A much more subdued Black Friday weekend is expected in Toronto and the Peel region, as the two areas remain blocked for 28 days to slow the spread of COVID-19.
In the province’s two COVID-19 hotspots, only essential retailers are allowed to stay open, but non-essential businesses can still offer curbside pickup and delivery, and restaurants can stay open for takeout and delivery as well.
“It’s not open season here in the York region,” Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti cautioned shoppers from Toronto and Peel.
He said the labor ministry inspectors, along with law officers and police, will make sure businesses comply with all rules set by public health officials.
He said some companies in the region have already been caught breaking the rules.
“Costco in Markham has been charged as well as the T&T grocery store in Warden and Steeles, so we’ll be out there,” he said Friday morning. “(I have) a clear message for retailers: it’s best to check the number of people entering.”
Dr Karim Kurji, a health officer for the York region, said stores that were given citations for failing to comply with physical spacing rules were found to be compliant after inspectors carried out a follow-up visit.
“Our staff was very saddened to see that the rules were not followed. We generally like to work closely with companies and most of them have been very compliant, but it’s about time we moved, “he said.
“We want to keep all residents safe. We know we can expect people from Toronto and Peel even though the advice is that they should stay home, that they should only go out on essential visits. “
He said there are plans in place to prevent overcrowding in stores, including malls in the York region.
“With the malls, they have taken steps to ensure that the different shops don’t necessarily power the mall and they also have a lot of ambassadors, so let’s hope everything is well controlled,” Kurji said.
According to Scarpitti’s office, Costco operators in Markham have been given a citation for physical distancing issues and a follow-up visit revealed that they are now in good standing.
Ontario Labor Minister Mount McNaughton said Department of Labor inspectors have been conducting community safety attacks since Thanksgiving and the teams will be in the York region this weekend.
“We’ve built a team of 200 government officials and inspectors to really go to companies in regions like Toronto, Peel and York … (and) tell companies how they can really improve security measures in their businesses to maintain workers safe and keep customers safe, ”McNaughton said.
“Eighty-five percent of businesses are adapting so overwhelmingly business has really escalated. It’s really about helping the government and ensuring that proper protocols are in place.”
He said that since March, labor ministry inspectors have conducted 28,000 investigations related to COVID-19 and 26,000 orders have been issued.
“Keep in mind that there are literally hundreds of thousands of companies, so like I said, most of them are doing a great job,” added McNaughton.
“There are always bad actors out there and they will work to improve standards everywhere.”
He said a total of 40 construction sites and workplaces have been closed since March, but noted that most of these were construction sites ordered to close at the start of the pandemic. He added that compliance has greatly improved on construction sites since the spring.
.
[ad_2]
Source link
