[ad_1]
The Bay says it will close its Queen Street headquarters on Tuesday after leaving it open on Monday, despite a provincial lockdown in place in Toronto and the Peel region.
The Queen Street location remained fully open on Monday despite orders for non-essential retailers to close their stores for in-person purchases in Toronto and the Peel region.
On Monday, Toronto and the Peel region officially went on lockdown for 28 days, forcing non-essential restaurants, gyms and stores to close to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Retailers can still offer curbside pickup and delivery, and restaurants can stay open for takeout and delivery as well.
Department stores across the GTA have been closed as part of the blockade, but a spokesperson for The Bay told Newstalk 1010 that the company’s headquarters on downtown Queen Street are allowed to remain open to customers because they are sold inside. groceries and other “essential items”.
“The health and well-being of customers and associates remain our top priority as we continue to deliver the essential products and services that Canadians need,” the spokesperson said.
“Right now, while most of our stores in Toronto and Peel only offer curbside pickup, Hudson’s Bay Queen Street, which offers groceries among other essential items, remains open with strict protocols in place as noted. by the government “.
The company said improved cleaning protocols are in place at all stores and employees must undergo comprehensive health checks when they show up for work.
“We remain committed to ensuring a healthy environment for all,” the statement concluded.
In a further statement released to CP24 late Monday, The Bay said it had decided to leave the Queen Street office open because there is a grocery store in the basement of the eight-story location.
“On Sunday evening, the decree issued by the province changed the guidelines governing the operation of retail stores. We scrutinized to ensure compliance and, as such, closed all but one of our stores in Toronto and Peel, which contained a grocery store, “the statement reads.” We understood this was in line with the management of the province, however, we have now decided to close our Queen Street store tomorrow. All Hudson’s Bay stores in Toronto and Peel will offer curbside pickup for shoppers. “
The health minister’s office says the shop shouldn’t be open
When asked about the situation at a press conference Monday afternoon, Premier Doug Ford said he should “look into the matter”.
Ford reiterated a call for buyers to support small businesses during the lockdown.
“I’m doing everything I can to protect and support the small businesses out there,” Ford said.
Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario Medical Associate Health Officer, said all large open stores should offer essential goods that you might find in a grocery store, pharmacy, or hardware store.
In a statement to CP24, a spokesperson for Health Minister Christine Elliott offered further clarification late Monday, noting that The Bay should not allow customers to enter.
“The inclusion of discounters and big boxes that sell groceries intends to include retail with a full grocery component. That would include WalMart and Costco, for example, but not The Bay or IKEA,” the statement read.
“We encourage all organizations to refer to provincial regulations to clarify the impacts on their business.”
Speaking with CP24, a buyer said that when he asked the staff inside The Bay where he could find the grocery department, they told him that groceries could be found in the Pusateri basement.
When he told them that Pusateri’s was not open, he said they had informed him it would be open shortly.
“They said, ‘Oh, but we’re having them open right away. They’re stocking the shelves right now. They’ll probably be open tomorrow,'” the buyer told CP24.
.
[ad_2]
Source link
