Toronto orders four businesses closed for breaking coronavirus rules

Toronto Public Health has ordered four businesses to temporarily close because they broke coronavirus safety rules.

The violations included having coronavirus-infected employees on the premises, and serving food buffet-style which is currently prohibited, according to a news release from the City of Toronto.

The city’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa said investigators found troubling evidence that staff were forced to work while ill. She also added the businesses’ operators were largely uncooperative with the investigation.

The City didn’t identify the businesses, only saying they were in the hospitality sector. The affected venues will be allowed to reopen once they change their operations to comply with coronavirus health and safety rules.

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“We’ve noted an increased number of cases and clusters in local bars and restaurant settings,” de Villa said in a news release. “These further actions my team and I took today are intended to stop transmission of COVID-19.”

Mayor John Tory called the enforcement strategy “surgical” in its precision.

“They must close so that the vast majority of businesses can stay open,” he said.

The forced closures come as Toronto’s coronavirus cases continue rising, with 236 more cases identified in the city on Friday. De Villa reminded residents to continue practicing physical distancing and to wash their hands over the weekend.