Stores, malls in Waterloo region must limit shoppers under new public health orders

Retail stores and shopping malls must limit the number of people inside their buildings under a new order from Waterloo region's medical officer of health.

Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang issued a section 22 order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act that store and mall owners mustmanage and actively monitor capacity to ensure proper physical distancing is possible for customers.

The order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

Wang said local businesses are working hard and following public health guidelines.

"This order works to further limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect shoppers and employees in these settings vulnerable to overcrowding," she said.

Physical distancing must be maintained throughout the entire building or store, including in common areas, washrooms, hallways and entrances at all times, the order says.

Stores located within malls must also set a maximum capacity limit of customers.

Line-ups of customers waiting to get either into a store or a mall must be "actively managed" to ensure people are physically distancing, the order says.

Wang wrote that cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in the region and there have been outbreaks "associated with situations where persons are within two metres and/or without face coverings and large gatherings."

The order came the same dayRegion of Waterloo Public Health reported 78new cases, bringing the total in November to 1,063. With 3,217 cases since March, that means nearly a third of all cases in the region have been this month.