The province is ramping up its COVID-19 enforcement blitz, which kicked off last weekend with big box stores in its scope.
Starting today, more than 300 enforcement officers will be out to ensure the state of emergency rules are also being followed at smaller retail shops, restaurants doing take-out, farming operations and essential businesses like gas stations.
"We know, from inspecting over 23,000 workplaces during 34,000 field visits, that the vast majority of Ontario businesses are following COVID-19 requirements to protect the health and safety of their workers," said Monte McNaughton, minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development in a news release.
"However, if we find any employers are putting the safety of workers and customers at risk, we will not hesitate to take immediate action."
Over the past weekend, 50 provincial inspectors helped local bylaw officer visit 240 big box stores around the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, including York Region, and charge 76 offenders.
Inspectors will be visiting farms, particularly those employing temporary foreign workers during the growing season. The goal will be to make sure that steps are being taken to prevent the spread of the virus among employees.
McNaughton said the first blitz will start today in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, followed by more campaigns in Toronto, Durham, Niagara, Windsor, Halton Region, Huron Perth, Peterborough, Kitchener and Waterloo, Hamilton and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark.
