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Toronto Public Health forces closure of

4 businesses related to COVID-19

Toronto’s medical officer of health ordered the closure of four businesses for violating terms under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on Friday.

Dr. Eileen de Villa would not publicly name the businesses as the orders were still be served by officials but she did say they are “hospitality-focused.” She added that the reasons for the orders are “distinct to each business.”

She said their investigation found a number of people are connected to more than one of the four businesses and that people who were infected with COVID-19 were employed by more than one of the four locations.

She added that at least one business served food buffet-style, which is prohibited under existing provincial regulations.

De Villa says investigators identified situations where staff were working while ill and they also became aware of concerns that staff were being pressured work while sick.

De Villa says the businesses, who have been uncooperative with public health investigators, would not be allowed to reopen until they comply with the orders issued to them.

“These are not actions I take lightly,” said de Villa. “But I act first in the interest of public health based on the data and the facts of the matter.”

“In these circumstances, the action taken is the right action to protect your health.”

The news comes on the same day Toronto reported 236 new cases of coronavirus, a number de Villa called “a warning to the entire city.”

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