Province conducting COVID-19 compliance checks next week

OTTAWA – The Ontario government is conducting an education and enforcement initiative next week (Nov. 1 to Nov. 8), ensuring businesses have COVID-19 safety protocols in place.

“This includes compliance for those businesses, like restaurants and gyms, who must verify customer proof of vaccination for indoor stays,” City of Ottawa staff released in a statement Friday (Oct. 29). “The province will be working with the city and Ottawa Public Health (OPH) for the education and enforcement visits.”

The inspections will assist with ensuring retail, food, fitness, and entertainment businesses are complying with the provincial Reopening Ontario Act.

Some of the measures in these regulations include:

Proper crowd control and capacity limits to ensure proper two-metre physical distancing

Proper use of masks and cleaning/disinfection practices

Safety plans are available at specified venues

Verifying customer proof of vaccination for indoor restaurants and bars, sport and music events, theatres, and fitness and recreation centres.

“This type of proactive education and enforcement initiative is being conducted province-wide, and responds to inquiries and complaints registered by Ontario residents on possible incidents that may compromise public safety,”

For more information on city programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 311 (TTY: 613-580-2401).