Business owners in the South Etobicoke area are living in fear of losing their livelihood from a second pandemic shutdown as imposed by the Ontario government.
The province says the lockdown will begin on midnight Monday November 23 in Toronto and Peel Region as Ontario tries to curb a steep rise in COVID-19 cases.
The closure will affect restaurants and bars, which will have limited service, gyms, nail, makeup salons, spas, hairdressers and many others; which will be required to be shut for a minimum of 28 days.
A fine of $750 will be imposed for violating the public-health rules.
“Further action is required to prevent the worst-case scenario,” Premier Doug Ford said at Queen’s Park.
The restrictions announced on Friday means no indoor gatherings with anyone outside a person’s household, and outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people.
Restaurants are limited to take-out, drive-through and delivery only service, according to public health.
People who live alone can have close contact with one other household, health officials say.
Religious services, funerals and weddings are limited to 10 people indoors or 10 people outdoors.
Shopping malls will be open for takeout service from food courts. Customers will not be able to shop at the stores.
Non-essential retail and malls are limited to curbside pickup or delivery only, according to public health officials.
Supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, discount and big box retailers, liquor and beer stores, safety supply stores, and convenience stores may open.
Schools will remain open.
Also shut will be personal care services, casinos, conference halls and bingo halls. Indoor sports and recreational facilities, including pools, closed with exceptions
Eight more people with COVID-19 have died, the province said Friday, bringing the official death toll to 3,451. So far this month, 315 people have died of COVID-19 in Ontario.
Officials of the Lake Shore Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) say local merchants will have a hard time coping in what is usually a busy time of the year for Christmas sales.