Of 1,125 inspections of businesses across York Region last week, restaurants accounted for many of 11 charges laid for violations of COVID-19 public health regulations.
Cafe Landwer on Bathurst Street in Vaughan was charged for lacking a COVID-19 safety and the patron lists required for contact tracing. York Region Public Health also issued a public notice on April 2 after at least five COVID-19 cases were confirmed in employees at the restaurant.
In the wake of a class order issued March 25 by York Region's medical officer of health banning the use of hookahs, Mazaj Lounge on Rutherford Road in Vaughan was charged for allowing hookah use.
Also in Vaughan, Posh Supper Club on Steeles Avenue West in Vaughan was charged for having more than the 50 patrons permitted, and That's Italian Ristorante was charged for being open after last week's shutdown banned in-person dining.
Mila Mexican Restaurant & Bar on Winges Road was charged by Vaughan bylaw enforcement for unspecified non-compliance.
World Bowl, a bowling alley in on Wilmont Street in Richmond Hill, was charged by city bylaw officers for being over permitted capacity.
Other charges included Allwood Products, a manufacturer of wood frames, chairs and components for office furniture in Vaughan, for lack of COVID-19 safety plan and required cleaning and disinfection.
A total of $880 is the fine for each charge laid.
York Region COVID-19 enforcement task force also completed 327 compliance education activities from March 29 to April 4.
While Town of Newmarket enforcement officers didn't lay any charges, they conducted the most inspections in the region at nearly 300 and issued 13 education notices.
The summary of the 11 charges issued under the provincial Reopening Ontario Act and Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act:
- 3 charges issued by York Region Public Health
- 3 charges issued by York Region Transit
- 1 charge issued by York Regional Police
- 1 charge issued by the City of Richmond Hill
- 3 charges issued by the City of Vaughan
A complete list of charges and closures is available on york.ca/COVID19
Task force members are composed of representatives of bylaw officers from all nine municipalities in the region, York Region Public Health inspectors, York Regional Police, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and Provincial Offences Act court prosecutions.
