Police have laid charges against the owners of a downtown Toronto business for allegedly operating a bar in violation of lockdown orders.
Toronto police say that after midnight on Sunday, they went to a business in the Queen and Portland streets area.
“Officers attended the location and could hear the sound of people inside a business,” police said on Sunday. “All the doors were locked, windows were covered and music was playing inside.”
They asked for those inside the area to unlock the door but those inside allegedly refused to do so.
"We could hear them. You could hear bottles being cleaned up, and they denied us entry at the time," Det. Darren Worth told CP24 Sunday night.
He said it took almost an hour before staff invited them in.
Once they got inside, investigators allege a bar of sorts was in operation, with 30 to 40 patrons, none of whom were wearing masks or respecting any other physical distancing guidelines.
"It's reckless behaviour. It puts all of the patrons inside at risk, it puts their families at risk, and ultimately puts myself and my officers at risk," Worth said.
"It's not something that we really want to deal with under the circumstances, but everybody has to do their part to attempt to keep everybody safe and put an end to the pandemic."
Two owners of the business were hit with court summons for provincial offences.
Worth said the names of owners or their business are not being released because they are not facing criminal charges.
The owners could face fines of up to $100,000, according to the Reopening Ontario Act.
Bar activity and indoor dining has been banned in Toronto since Oct. 10.
