Image

Province shuts down strip clubs, limits bar sales to curb growing COVID-19 wave

September 25, 2020

If you’re heading out for drinks tonight, expect to be home around midnight.

The provincial government is changing the rules around restaurants, bars and strip clubs to help stem the rising wave of COVID-19 cases.

There were 409 new cases of COVID-19 in the province today, with most in Toronto, Peel and Ottawa. For the past week, the number of people being diagnosed daily is in the 300 to 400 range. That’s the highest it has been since May.

Most of the new cases are in the 20 to 39 year old age group. Health officials are worried the virus is being spread in bars – as in an outbreak at Western University in London – and during private parties.

Last Saturday, the province limited the number of people at private gatherings to 10 indoors and 50 outdoors.

Now, starting Saturday at 12:01 am, bars, restaurants and night clubs can’t sell alcohol after 11 pm, close at midnight and no one can consume alcohol from 12 am to 9 am – including employees.

Strip clubs will be closed across the province.

“As the number of cases have continued to rise, it is evident t hat despite the tremendous efforts of Ontarians further action is required to prevent the spread of the virus,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health in a news release. “On the advice of Ontario’s public health officials, we are moving forward with these measures to help keep Ontarians safe by limiting the potential for exposure in locations where the current risk of transmission is higher, and to avoid future lock downs.”

Officials add the province will be working with municipalities to encourage increased enforcement of existing businesses. The Ministry of Labour has hired over 90 new inspectors to help with the project.

Share This

Image
Entertainment

Twenty years of ‘bringing joy’ and a some jingle to merchants

December 6, 2024

Cathy Dobson/The Independent The motor coaches delivering visitors to Victoria Playhouse Petrolia’s annual Starbright Christmas show this week, isn’t just a sign the musical powerhouse is back for its 20th year. It’s adding some jingle to the pockets of the owners of restaurants and local shops part of an annual Christmas economic boom. This year, 30 motor coaches from all

Read More

Image
Front Page

Bears, Bees and Squires, Oh My; Petrolia host Teddy Bear Toss game Friday

December 6, 2024

Barry Wright/The Independent The heated rivalry between the Petrolia Squires and Alvinston Killer Bees will be used to help those less fortunate when the teams meet in Ontario Super Hockey League action this Friday at Greenwood. The Squires and Bees have challenged their respective fans to a teddy bear toss when the teams go head-to-head for the second time this

Read More

Image
Front Page

Flaring from Nova ‘disruption’ seen as far south as Dresden

December 6, 2024

Nova Chemical’s says a disruption in their process at the Corunna facility is responsible for a large flare which lit up the night sky Thursday. The glow and flame from the stack could be seen as far south as Dresden. “We are actively working to return the facility to normal operating conditions as soon as possible,” the company said in

Read More

Image
Front Page

Premier promises to ban public use of drugs, allow police to remove encampments

December 5, 2024

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says there will be new rules to help address homeless encampments. A group of nine mayors recently wrote to the premier suggesting he use the Not Withstanding Clause of the Constitution to allow police to remove the tent cities across the province. The courts have banned the forced removal of the encampments. Lambton County and City

Read More