A Newmarket retailer was among of a slew of businesses across York Region that were charged by the enforcement task force last week for flouting closure orders during COVID-19 lockdown.
It's the second charge and $880 fine in as many weeks for Point of Light at 16635 Yonge St. being reported tonight, however Newmarket bylaw enforcement notes the ticket was issued prior to the closure order.
Between Monday, Jan. 4 and Sunday, Jan. 10, enforcement officers visited 1,775 businesses across York Region, laying 27 charges against individuals and businesses not adhering to COVID-19 safety measures and protocols, according to York Region spokesperson Patrick Casey.
Other businesses charged for being open contrary to the provincial closure order included Angelo's Sportswear in Georgina, Amazon Hardwood Centre, Arto Kitchen & Bath, Asiya Bolleood Junction, Empire Bath International, The Best Shop, all in Markham, and Woodbridge Linens 'N Things in Vaughan.
The owner of a short-term rental house at 12846 Hwy. 48 in Whitchurch-Stouffville was again charged and fined $880 for failing to comply with gathering limits. Two charges for the same offence were laid Jan. 5 against the homeowner by Whitchurch-Stouffville bylaw officers.
Other charges were for having employees not wearing masks — including Circle K on Wellington Street, Wild Wing on Wellington, Kabab Saraye Parya on Yonge, and TAT Super Bakery on Yonge, all in Aurora — having no safety plan, being overcapacity and lacking physical distancing
Fade Zone and Ultimate Fades barber shops on Yonge in Richmond Hill were each charged for offering personal services.
A complete list of charges and closures is available on york.ca/COVID19
The summary of the 27 charges issued under the provincial Reopening Ontario Act and Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act are:
- 1 charge issued by York Region Public Health
- 2 charges issued by York Regional Police
- 4 charges issued by the Town of Aurora
- 1 charge issued by the Town of Georgina
- 14 charges issued by the City of Markham
- 1 charge issued by the Town of Newmarket
- 2 charges issues by the City of Richmond Hill
- 1 charge issued by the City of Vaughan
- 1 charge issued by the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
Since last March, public health inspectors, municipal bylaw officers and other enforcement agencies have completed 31,845 inspections, resulting in 749 charges and 17,324 compliance education activities, Casey said.
Officers from the COVID-19 task force will continue to visit essential businesses and other locations to ensure public health measures under are being met.
Task force members are composed of bylaw officers from all nine municipalities, York Region Public Health inspectors, York Regional Police, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and Provincial Offence Act court prosecutions.
