This will hurt.
Barkeepers in the South Etobicoke area are crying foul since they are now required to stop serving booze at 11 p.m., rather than 2 a.m., due to new COVID-19 guidelines.
And the more than 40 strip clubs in Ontario will have to remain closed until further notice to avoid a spread of the virus, according to Premier Doug Ford.
Effective at 12:01 am on Saturday September 26, restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments, including nightclubs, will have to stop the sale of alcohol after 11 p.m., and prohibit the consumption of alcohol on the premises from 12 a.m. until 9 a.m.
The guidelines apply to employees, and requires the establishments to close by 12 a.m., and remain closed until 5 a.m., except for takeout or delivery, according to the law.
In addition, businesses or organizations are required to screen its employees for the virus.
The Premier said in the past five weeks Ontario has experienced an increase in the rate of new COVID-19 cases and something has to be done.
“Private social gatherings continue to be a significant source of transmission in many local communities, along with outbreak clusters in restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments,” he said.
The government last week ruled that only 10 persons can be in a bar or indoor space, and 25 outside.
“It remains critically important for everyone to continue following public health advice in order to stop the transmission of COVID-19 and protect our communities,” Ford said in a release.
Starting Friday, people with no symptoms of the coronavirus can visit up to 60 pharmacies in Toronto, Ottawa, Brampton, Mississauga, Markham and Huntsville by appointment for free testing, according to the province.
Not many, if any, of the Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies are located in the South Etobicoke area. The closest pharmacies in our area includes:
Shoppers Drug Mart, 579 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga, at 905- 278-5506 or https://stores.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/store/1275/
Shoppers Drug Mart, 700 Burnhamthorpe Road East, Mississauga, at 905- 279-1812 or https://stores.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/store/774/
Area residents can also visit St. Joseph Health Care Centre, at 30 The Queensway, to obtain a check for COVID-19.
St. Joseph has two assessment centres: one at its St. Michael’s site and another at the St. Joseph’s site. The centres are equipped with proper precautions such as hand hygiene stations and isolated spaces for those who are being assessed for COVID-19.
If you’re visiting their assessment centres, you’ll be given a mask upon entry and asked to clean your hands, you’ll be registered, and then seen by a team member to be tested for COVID-19. Please remember to bring your health card.
They can be contacted at 416- 530-6000