Big box stores are being told to “pull up their socks” or face shut down, as Ministry of Labour inspectors prepare to blitz locations across the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton this weekend to enforce pandemic rules. In a Thursday announcement, Labour Minister Monte McNaughton said retailers would be targeted as part of new lockdown measures mandating stronger workplace safety enforcement — although existing data shows the highest-risk settings are warehouses and manufacturers. This weekend’s blitz will focus on ensuring “workers and patrons” are wearing masks, physical distancing, and “following every health and safety measure,” a ministry statement said. McNaughton said workplace inspectors have now been given “greater powers” to ensure customers at essential box stores are wearing face masks, including tickets of up to $750. Owners of small businesses forced to shutter have expressed frustration that big box stores like Costco have been allowed to stay open.

Source: thestar January 14, 2021 22:30 UTC