Franco's No Frills charged with breaking COVID-19 rules in the middle of an outbreak
CBC News | Posted: December 22, 2020 5:09 PM | Last Updated: December 22, 2020
The store wasn't screening people entering the store and didn't enforce physical distancing, the city says
Franco's No Frills has been charged for violating two COVID-19 rules in the middle of an outbreak that has infected 11 people as of Tuesday.
Hamilton bylaw officers on Sunday issued the store tickets for not screening people entering the store and for a lack of physical distancing.
The outbreak at the store on 640 Queenston Rd. was announced two days earlier on Friday.
Loblaw says this is the first time any concerns about the store were raised.
"The store has made a number of significant changes to its operations since the pandemic began, including increased sanitization protocols, social distancing measures in the store and the number of customers allowed in at any one time," read an email form the public relations team.
"The owner is seeking to better understand the issue and continues to work closely with the public health team."
11 employees linked to outbreak
The company says 11 employees in total have tested positive for COVID-19.
"At this point, some of those cases are more than two weeks old, and are considered to be resolved. Of the remaining cases, they were last in the store between Dec. 9 to 18," read another email from the Loblaw public relations team.
"As with every single case, we have remained in close contact with the public health team, to ensure our current and enhanced protocols are aligned with any of their recommendations. The store is cleaned frequently, and has had multiple additional deep cleans."
Paul Johnson, the director of the city's emergency operations centre, said he has a clear message for businesses that aren't following the rules.
"Get on top of this," he said. "As employers, particularly those delivering essential services … this isn't new, quite frankly, and some of these infractions, you do say to yourself, 'You need to keep working at it.' "
He also said businesses should be having conversations with staff about the rules daily.
20 COVID-19 bylaw infractions in Hamilton last week
The city has ticketed B&T Foods on Queen Street on two separate occasions.
On Dec. 14, the city's website says, the food market was charged for not doing screening. Five days later, bylaw officers returned and laid the same charge twice, as well as two for not enforcing distancing.
Other businesses charged for alleged infractions include:
- Nations Fresh Foods in Jackson Square (three charges).
- Pita Pit on King Street West.
- Minden Jewellers on King Street West.
- Big Bee Convenience on Barton Street East.
- Samir Supermarket on Upper James Street South (two charges).
- Al Simmons Gun Shop Limited on Locke Street South (two charges).
- The Dream Centre on Innovation Drive in Flamborough.
- Pub Fiction on Garner Road West in Ancaster.
- Envie Nail Salon on Stone Church Road East in Stoney Creek.
Johnson said it was disappointing to see how many charges were laid against businesses. He added that three people were also charged for hosting house parties.
"I know we want to get together … they're not allowed. There's no level of indoor gathering that is allowed except if you're with your own household or if you're a single person [household], you can choose an exclusive, one other household," he said.
Johnson said added bylaw enforcement will not be taking a break during the Christmas holidays. In fact, there will be more bylaw officers on duty.