GTA regions outside the block are preparing for an influx of Black Friday shoppers

Black Friday usually means frenzied shopping, crowded stores, and big line-ups, all in the name of big business.

This year will be a little different with lockdown restrictions in Toronto and the Peel region. But other regions not interested in the GTA are still preparing for large crowds in their malls.

The malls and stores will be open for Black Friday sales in Halton, Durham and the York region. There are concerns that people in Toronto and Peel may organize an escape from the block to go shopping elsewhere in the GTA.

Formations were forming outside the Vaughan Mills mall in the hours before the mall opened at 8am. However, unlike most Black Fridays, there was no mad rush when the doors opened.

People walked through the doors in an orderly fashion and under the surveillance of security guards who were securing physical distances and making sure everyone was wearing masks.

The lineup is growing out of the Vaughan Mills Mall ahead of Black Friday sales. Mall security asks people to distance themselves and wear masks. The York region says officials will enforce COVID-19 capacity limits in stores. pic.twitter.com/kq7kN60b24

– Kevin Misener (@ Misener680NEWS) November 27, 2020

Vaughan Mills states on their website that they are anticipating high volumes of buyers and, as a result, are keeping the security measures in place.

York region health officials are stepping up inspection efforts to ensure compliance with public health regulations. Officers from the regional task force will visit shopping malls, department stores, restaurants and gyms.

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti is one of several municipal leaders voicing concern. He asks people outside the York region not to visit his municipality, although he admits there isn’t much to do on cross-border shoppers.

“We don’t want retailers to invite people to line up and flood the entrances first thing in the morning,” Scarpitti says.

He says the message to retailers is not to have no sales, but to have sales that take into account public health guidelines. Businesses that do not follow the guidelines will be subject to fines and repeat offenders may be closed.

Over the past weekend, 32 inspections were conducted that resulted in 22 charges at 19 properties in the region.

Toronto Mayor John Tory asked Toronto bargain hunters to shop online only and not leave the city.