Vaughan Mills stores among York Region businesses charged with COVID-19 violations during Black Friday ‘blitz’

Thestar.com
Nov. 28
Kim Zarzour

At least six businesses across York Region were charged and fined after a special Black Friday “blitz” by the region’s COVID-19 enforcement task force.

Growing complaints about rule-breaking, overcrowded stores and concerns that locked-down Toronto and Peel residents would cross the border into York’s still-open facilities prompted York Region council to step up enforcement at the start of the busy shopping season.

On Friday, task force members visited 439 businesses and by 3 p.m., there were eight charges laid against residents and businesses.

The Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre was issued three concurrent charges on Saturday and received a total fine and surcharge of $2,640.

Charged under the Reopening Ontario Act and Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act are Xclusive Fades (a barbershop in Aurora), Designer Depot (a clothing store in Vaughan Mills) Cellicon (a cellphone accessory and repair shop in Vaughan Mills) and Haight and Ashbury (a clothing store in Vaughan Mills).

Chef 88 Elite Fine Dining in Markham was charged with failing to comply with rules pertaining to physical distancing on a patio.

All five businesses were fined $750 plus a surcharge totalling $880.

Dylon Hart, property manager at Vaughan Mills, said Friday the shopping centre was working closely with York Region public health to ensure safety precautions are followed.

The mall was operating at 15 to 20 per cent of normal capacity.

“We are doing the best we can and health and safety is our most important priority,” he said. “There are significant lineups but inside the mall is comfortable and safe.”

In addition to laying charges, the task force conducted 686 “compliance education activities:” 193 for distancing, 201 for face coverings, 97 for business regulations and 195 for gathering limits.

York Region spokesperson Patrick Casey said the region plans to continue the enforcement blitz throughout the weekend, visiting malls, big box and retail stores, restaurants, food premises, fitness centres and other locations to ensure public health measures are being met.

Those that fail to keep their customers and employees safe by not adhering to the mandated COVID-19 safety measures will be subject to fines and repeat offenders could face temporary closure.

Last weekend, the region laid charges against 19 stores, fitness centres and restaurants including Costco and LA Fitness in Vaughan, Wynn Fitness and McDonald’s in Richmond Hill, T & T Supermarket and Costco in Markham.

Avani Event Centre, the banquet Hall on Jane Street in Concord linked to a large outbreak of COVID-19 last month, was issued charges on Oct. 18.

At least 49 people tested positive for COVID-19 after a large wedding at the venue Oct. 14 and Oct. 18.

A complete list of charges and closures in York Region is available on york.ca/COVID19

To stay safe from the coronavirus, York Region Public Health recommends shopping online from a local business or arrange for curbside pickup rather than visiting stores during the holidays.

If you must go into a store, wear a mask, visit during off-peak hours, plan ahead to limit time in shops and follow directional arrows and store signs and other rules set by the store for safety.