York Region Public Health: COVID-19 fines issued to department stores ahead of Black Friday

Black Friday in the York region is bringing out the crowds and now, some Costcos and a supermarket in Markham have been accused of overcrowding.

When it comes to shopping in the York region, which is currently found below ‘Red-Control‘COVID-19 measures, public health officials said they were on patrol for violations committed by department stores and not necessarily by shoppers.

“We sneaked in from Toronto for toilet paper,” said a brave woman on Friday. “We don’t have toilet paper with us for weeks now.”

York Region Health Officer Dr Karim Kurji tells 680 NEWS that patrolling people is not feasible and instead, the goal is to keep stores safe for shoppers in terms of crowd size control and ensuring that people keep their physical distance.

Kurji said under a special ‘Section 22 order‘the COVID-19 task force has already issued charges to two Costco locations and a T&T supermarket. The doctor said his team will close all other stores that violate these measures.

“There will be no hesitation,” Kurji said. “There are many activities to do, so we expect the harvest [of the fines] it would be reached within hours. “

The Department of Labor confirmed that a law enforcement blitz is coming this weekend in the York region to monitor businesses and make sure they adhere properly to COVID-19 protocols and security measures.

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 to open the doors.

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti he is one of several municipal leaders who expresses 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.

Although many businesses may remain open under the ‘Red-Controlarea with strengthened security measures, it is up to individual companies whether they wish to remain open or not.