Hamilton officials single out restaurant for alleged COVID-19 infractions

The Krown Kafe in Hamilton, Ont.'s Stoney Creek neighbourhood was named for allegedly breaking COVID-19 restrictions. (Google Maps)

TORONTO — Hamilton's public health officials have singled out a local restaurant for several alleged COVID-19 infractions.

Krown Kafe in Stoney Creek, Ont., was named by Paul Johnson, director of Hamilton's Emergency Operations Centre, in his opening remarks during a media update on Monday.

Johnson says he felt it was necessary to refer to Krown Kafe specifically because its four infractions led to a change in Hamilton's policy about naming businesses that broke COVID-19 restrictions.

Originally, the city said it would only name businesses linked to an outbreak or charged under the Reopening Ontario Act if it was a high-risk situation.

Hamilton city council voted last Wednesday to publicize names of businesses charged with COVID-19 violations going forward.

Johnson says that although Krown Kafe was fined before the policy change -- and therefore wouldn't have its name posted to Hamilton's public health website -- he felt it was appropriate to single it out because it was the catalyst for the new approach.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 17, 2020.