Essential stores in eastern Ontario ordered to implement crowd control, hygiene procedures

Tape on the floor of a Saskatoon grocery store marks the distance required between shoppers.

OTTAWA — The Eastern Ontario Health Unit is ordering all essential businesses to limit customers in stores and take steps to prevent hoarding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The health unit has issued orders for all essential stores and companies offering curbside pick-up and delivery in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Effective Thursday at 12 a.m., all supermarkets, convenience stores, big box retailers, beer, wine and liquor stores and pharmacies must have the following measures in place:

Ensure Crowd Control

Implement Hygiene Procedures

Implement Other Measures

Businesses offering curb-side pick-up and drive-through must also make changes, including crowd control in the pick-up area and proper hygiene procedures for employees and screening procedures.

All essential businesses remaining open during the COVID-19 pandemic are also asked to screen employees for COVID-19 at the beginning of each shift and send home any employees who are sick immediately.  Staff must also be trained to ensure they wash their hands often and proper procedures for using gloves.

The measures cover all stores in the Eastern Ontario Health Unit region, including Cornwall, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry and Prescott-Russell.