Vince's Market in East Gwillimbury is among 24 York Region businesses and individuals facing charges for COVID-19 public health violations.
The independent grocer was charged by East Gwillimbury bylaw enforcement with failing to display and monitor capacity limits at its location at 19103A Leslie St. in Sharon, according to a York Region news release.
York Region's COVID-19 enforcement task force visited 2,004 locations from April 12 to 18, resulting in 24 charges and 388 compliance education activities.
Town of Newmarket enforcement officers conducted 365 visits —the second highest number in the region, after Vaughan — and completed nine education activities, with laying any charges.
While the majority of charges come with a total fine of $880 each, public health inspectors fined two businesses $1,130: Consolidated Fastfrate Inc. on Highway 50 in Vaughan, for masks not being worn in a workplace; and La Rocca Creative Kitchen on Elgin Mills Road for lacking a COVID-19 safety plan. Among the charges are two salons that were open, Lotus Wellness on Leslie Street in Richmond Hill and Maple Hair Salon on Keele Street in Vaughan.
A resident of Richmond Hill was charged for accessing "an outdoor amenity" closed under the current provincial ban, while another individual was charged for attending an indoor social gathering in Vaughan. New Orient Health Centre was also charged as a non-essential business that was open.
Here's the summary of the 24 charges issued under the provincial Reopening Ontario Act and section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act:
- 2 charges issued by York Region Public Health
- 7 charges issued by York Region Transit
- 7 charges issued by York Regional Police
- 1 charge issued by the Town of East Gwillimbury
- 5 charges issued by the City of Richmond Hill
- 2 charges issued by the City of Vaughan
