Nearly a dozen charges were laid during a recent COVID-19 workplace inspection blitz in Chatham-Kent.
According to the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit, provincial offences officers from several government ministries visited 80 local businesses across Chatham-Kent towards the end of November.
The two-day blitz was done in coordination with CK Public Health and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent with the purpose of assessing the compliance level with requirements for business operations under the Reopening Ontario Act.
Officers provided education around and enforcement of the public health requirements with regards to proof of vaccination, screening requirements for both employees and patrons, mask-wearing, proper display of workplace safety plans and more.
Overall, inspections revealed 23 violations, resulting in the issuance of 11 charges.
Overall, the municipality said the campaign was received positively with many businesses willingly cooperating and eager to rectify any identified issues.
“We are very appreciative of the compliance efforts of our local business operations and the patrons who frequent them,” said local Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby. “It is not an easy task to repeatedly pivot and to make adjustments to how you have been conducting business at your establishments for years prior.”
The health unit has a webpage dedicated to COVID-19 information for workplaces, which can be found by clicking here.