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Newmarket pub, event venue among 16 facing charges for COVID-19 violations

Restaurants in Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan were also charged in the targeted enforcement blitz
2020 01 16 York Region enforcement task force officer

A restaurant and an event venue in Newmarket are among 16 York Region businesses and individuals facing charges for violating COVID-19 measures in the past two weeks.

Following inspections by the York Region COVID-19 enforcement task force between Aug. 9 and 22, Grey Goat Pub and Grill at 74 Main St. was charged for not having a contact list and not posting capacity limits. 

Madison’s Greenhouse Event Venue at 160 Bayview St. was charged for failing to have a COVID-19 safety plan. 

On Friday, Aug. 20 and Saturday, Aug. 21, the task force targeted restaurants, bars and banquet facilities to ensure public health measures such as the use of face masks and physical distancing, contact tracing, capacity limits and screening were in place. 

In East Gwillimbury, The Landing Bar & Grill 1 - 45 Grist Mill Rd. was charged for having no capacity sign, no COVID-19 safety plan, no active screening, and a bartender was not wearing a mask. 

C.W. Coop's Holland Landing at 1 - 19415 Yonge St. faces charges for not having a safety plan, active screening, and an operator in a serving area was not wearing a mask. 

Ye Skewers Hot Pot at 15480 Bayview Ave. in Aurora was also charged for not having an up-to-date contact tracing list and not actively screening staff. 

In Richmond Hill, Il Fornello was charged for not having proper signage on the door, proper contact tracing, and for not screening employees. 

Cheongdam Korean BBQ at 7335 Yonge St. in Markham was charged for the same violations, as well as not having a safety plan in place. Baton Rouge Steakhouse and Bar at 230 Commerce Valley Dr. in Markham was charged for not having proper distancing in the dining area. 

Vaughan restaurant 168 Sushi Asian Buffet at 103 - 1520 Steeles Ave. East was also charged for not having physical distancing measures in place, as well as no capacity sign posted and no contact tracing. 

Two Vaughan event venues were also charged. 

La Primavera Event Space 77 Woodstream Blvd. was charged for not having active screening, contact tracing logs, or a COVID-19 safety plan, while Universal Event Space at 6250 Highway 7 West was charged for not having masks worn. 

The fines amount to $880 for each business.

In total, the York Region COVID-19 enforcement task force conducted 335 inspections between Aug. 9 and 22, resulting in 16 charges and 209 education activities.

A total breakdown of charges laid includes: 

  • 12 laid by York Region Public Health 
  • 3 laid by York Region Transit
  • 1 laid by the City of Markham 

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Elizabeth Keith

About the Author: Elizabeth Keith

Elizabeth Keith is a general assignment reporter. She graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2017. Elizabeth is passionate about telling local stories and creating community.
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