Police charge two business owners for allegedly violating COVID-19 orders

The Toronto Police Service has charged two people for allegedly violating COVID-19 orders and operating a business as a bar.

Police say that at around 12:40am on December 13, officers responded to a call for a “noisy party” at a business near Queen Street West and Portland Street.

Upon arrival, police could allegedly hear the sound of people and music coming from inside the business. However, the doors were locked and the windows were covered, and the people inside refused to open the doors for police.

Officers say they were able to locate a large group of people inside the business which was allegedly operating as a bar. No one was wearing any form of personal protective equipment or face coverings, police say.

As a result, Toronto Police officers issued two court summonses to the owners of the business for failing to comply with the regulations under the Reopening Ontario Act.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1400.