Stewart’s Decorating ordered closed by Health Unit for COVID non-compliance

Stewart's Decorating on Regina St. has been ordered closed by the Health Unit after repeated violations of COVID restrictions.

The store deals in paint, flooring, window coverings, and other assorted home decor, ...

According to a Health Unit news release, on Saturday, April 17, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit issued a Section 22 Order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, ordering Alexandra Stewart to immediately close the business premises known as Stewart’s Decorating, located at 1370 Regina Street North Bay,

Under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, a medical officer of health can issue an order to “require a person to take or to refrain from taking any action in respect of a communicable disease.”

"The Order was issued as a result of continued non-compliance with Ontario Regulation 82/20 and current, province-wide, public health restrictions in effect, pursuant to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, and the Reopening Ontario Act", says the release.

The Section 22 Order requires Stewart’s Decorating to remain closed to the public and all patrons, including the prohibition of curbside pickup, with the exception of delivery and service by telephone or remote means.

"Between January 25, 2021 and April 16, 2021, the Health Unit took various actions in an effort to correct the non-compliance, including providing education and warnings, followed by the issuance of multiple Provincial Offence proceedings," says the release.

Non-compliance with a Section 22 Order issued by the Health Unit may, upon conviction, result in a fine of up $5,000 per day of non-compliance for individuals, and up to $25,000.00 per day for corporations.

Stewart has been a long-time critic of the government's shut down orders and has been threatened through social media and had her business boycotted.

BayToday reached out to Alexandra Stewart for comment, and she says she is appealing the order.