The city recently announced new transparency measures to identify workplaces with recent outbreaks of COVID-19 to prevent workplace spread. Along those lines, it can also help to know if the grocery stores you visit frequently have had any recent cases.
There are some ways to find out if the grocery store you like to shop at has had a COVID outbreak, and, maybe, more importantly, find out what the company has done to ensure that the case is contained.
All of the larger chains have regularly updated websites listing new cases. You can search through these pages to find your local store:
- Loblaws (Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, No Frills)
- Metro Stores (Metro, Food Basics)
- Sobeys (Sobeys, Freshco, Foodland, Farm Boy)
Neighbourhood stores that aren’t part of a larger chain are reporting cases as well. The new recommendations from Toronto Public Health are as follows:
- That businesses immediately notify Toronto Public Health when they become aware of two or more employees with COVID-19 and designate a contact to work in coordination with Toronto Public Health in implementing any measures required to reduce the spread of the virus.
- That employers minimize instances where more than one individual is travelling in a vehicle associated with that business’s work.
- That businesses implement rigorous and frequent cleaning in all high-touch areas.
- That businesses ensure regular assessments of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
- That businesses ensure the physical distancing of employees by at least two metres where reasonably possible.
For updates on workplaces that have reported significant outbreaks, visit this Toronto Public Health page.
