Advertisement

Ministry of Labour to conduct COVID-19 inspection blitz at Ontario businesses Saturday

Click to play video: 'Efforts to limit spread of Omicron over holiday season in Ontario'
Efforts to limit spread of Omicron over holiday season in Ontario
WATCH ABOVE: Provinces across the country are trying to blunt the surge of the Omicron variant. In Ontario, booster shots have been accelerated and rapid tests are being handed out for free. Marianne Dimain has more – Dec 17, 2021

TORONTO — Ontario will embark on an inspection blitz at businesses tomorrow to ensure they’re following public health measures as COVID-19 cases surge.

The Ministry of Labour says 150 provincial offences officers will be deployed across Ontario.

They’ll focus their efforts on big box stores, bars, salons and other high-risk settings, ensuring businesses are enforcing distancing requirements, checking vaccine certificates and following other health rules.

The ministry says officers are to take an “education-first approach” to enforcement, but won’t hesitate to fine repeat offenders and those willfully flouting the rules.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Ontario is currently dealing with a wave of COVID-19 cases fuelled by the highly contagious Omicron variant, which is thought to be between four and eight times more infectious than the Delta variant that drove the last wave of the pandemic.

Story continues below advertisement

The province says data from recent inspections shows most businesses are following public health rules.

Click to play video: 'Ontario modelling warns of substantial growth in Omicron cases'
Ontario modelling warns of substantial growth in Omicron cases

Sponsored content

AdChoices