COVID-19 inspections to focus on warehouses, distribution centres in Peel Region

The next phase of the Ontario's workplace "inspection blitz" will focus on warehouses and distribution centres in Peel Region, where the sector has been hit with COVID-19 outbreaks.

Labour Minister Monte McNaughton says site visits began on Wednesday.

Inspections will focus on adherence to pandemic safety plans, looking at measures like physical distancing, screening for infection and mask-wearing.

McNaughton says Peel has a high number of essential workers, and employers who fail to keep them safe will be ticketed or shut down.

Corporations can be fined $1,000 on the spot for failing to comply with health orders.

The labour department says 218 tickets have been issued since inspections focused on big-box stores began last month.