Starting today, the health unit, St. Thomas Police and city bylaw officers will be conducting random inspections to ensure local businesses and facilities are in compliance with the Re-opening Ontario Act.
The goal is to ensure COVID-19 safety plans, physical distancing and mask usage requirements are in place.
St. Thomas Police Corporate Communications Coordinator Tanya Calvert stresses business have been diligent in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Calvert adds the foot patrol officers are already in the downtown core and it makes sense to have them help in conducting the week-long random inspection campaign.
Amy Pavletic, a program manager at Southwestern Public Health, stresses the inspections are not about harassing hard-hit small business owners.
During the week-long campaign fines will only be issued to business that continue to defy the Act.
