Coronavirus: Brampton man charged after faking COVID-19 contact to get out of work

A Brampton man has been charged after he allegedly faked contact with someone with coronavirus to get out of work on Monday.

Peel police said officers were contacted by a business owner in Brampton just after 9:15 a.m. who told them he was forced to shut down because an employee told him he was in contact with a family member with COVID-19.

Police said after investigation, it was revealed to be a fake excuse and that no one in the man’s family was exposed or sick with the virus.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

A 39-year-old man was charged with public mischief. He was released on promise to appear at a later date in a Brampton court.

This is the second instance of an employee faking a COVID-19 related issue in less than a week.

On Friday, Hamilton police said an 18-year-old woman was charged after she faked a doctor’s note confirming a COVID-19 positive result to get out of work at McDonald’s, forcing the shut down of the restaurant.

The woman was charged with mischief over $5,000, fraud under $5,000, using a forged document and making a forged document.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 22 Division at 905-453-2121 ext.1233. Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.