Major Amazon warehouse in Ontario ordered to close due to COVID-19 outbreak

A major Amazon warehouse in Brampton, Ontario, has been ordered to close for two weeks due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

On Friday, Peel Public Health issued a Section 22 order, under the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act, to Amazon Canada requiring all individuals working at 8050 Heritage Road in Brampton to self-isolate for two weeks, effective March 13 at 12 am.

In accordance with the order, all employees will be required to self-isolate until March 27, unless they have tested positive in the last 90 days and have completed their isolation period as directed by public health.

“This Amazon facility is in a vulnerable community and employs thousands of people. Immediate action must be taken to protect these essential workers and the community where they live,” Peel Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lawrence Loh said in a statement.

“This was a difficult decision but a necessary one to stop further spread both in the facility and across our community. Essential workers remain the backbone of our community and I continue to urge both employers and policy makers to provide paid sick leave to anyone impacted by COVID-19.”

According to the public health unit, the current investigation has determined that high-risk exposure to COVID-19 for everyone working at Amazon Heritage “cannot be ruled out.”

Over the past few weeks, the rate of COVID-19 infection across Peel has been decreasing, while the rate inside this facility has been “increasing significantly.”

Peel Public Health said they have been working closely with Amazon Canada to get the outbreak under control. This order will also allow Amazon Canada more time to consider additional operational changes recommended by Peel Public Health that may help prevent outbreaks in the future.