‘None wore masks’: Vaughan residents talk COVID-19 violations as calls to York Region soar

Soccer match of 21 men playing, patrons gathering at a café bar with no masks are some examples of violations

Yorkreigon.com
April 19, 2021

Some Vaughan residents are expressing their concerns over social distancing violations as the York Region Public Health number, which is used for both booking and lodging complaints, gets really busy.

Vaughan-based Julie Pauletig recalled an experience when she visited a gelato or café bar and noticed a gathering where none of the patrons were wearing masks.

“There were plenty of patrons inside standing around, chatting, having an espresso. Not one individual entered with a mask, and none of the patrons were wearing a mask,” she wrote to York Region Media.

“And they certainly were not waiting for take out on a Tuesday afternoon. Yet the patrons were huddled in a circle talking business, men and women alike, as if there were no issues in this world,” she added.

Pauletig tried to call the Public Health number --1-887-464-9675 --to report the violations. That number was the one used for all other COVID-19 issues.

“I was on hold for two hours and no response,” Pauletig said. “No wonder we have such low numbers of violations reported in this region. In Toronto, you can complete the complaint online and upload pictures.”

“Why are we trying to hide what is really going on here in York during this COVID pandemic?” she asked in frustration.

When approaching Public Health about this, it said, “York Region has been experiencing increased call volume to its main contact centre Access York, at 1-877-464-9675, as residents or eligible groups look to book COVID-19 vaccinations.”

Since March last year, York Region said, “Public Health Inspectors, municipal bylaw officers and other enforcement agencies have completed 54,591 inspections, resulting in 1,157 charges and 26,415 compliance education activities.”

Despite York Region’s efforts, violations continue amid COVID-19 fatigue.

On April 8, a reader sent a photo of a soccer match at Woodbridge College Park.

The reader said there were 21 men at the park.

According to the City of Vaughan, the province says any “sports or games, including team sports, that could result in players being within two metres of one another may not be practised or played,” ruling out the soccer match.

It also added that, since March 13, 2020, the city’s “Contact Centre has received 4,731 calls and emails regarding non-essential business, COVID-19 restrictions and commercial patio structures/space related to COVID-19. “

As of April 14, there are 16,869 confirmed COVID-19 cases, the highest among York Region's eight other municipalities. There are now a total of 39,722 confirmed cases regionwide.

York Region residents can share specific details relating to their concerns for followup and action through:

--Access York at 1-877-464-9675 or accessyork@york.ca

--Health Inspectors at health.inspectors@york.ca

--Their city or town’s bylaw office

--York Region’s mobile app or website at york.ca/reportaproblem