Saying it’s taking additional steps to protect workers, the province says about 50 labour ministry inspectors, along with local police and bylaw officers, will be visiting big-box stores in Toronto, Peel, York, Durham and Hamilton starting this weekend.

”We know most businesses are operating responsibly and taking the necessary steps to protect their workers and customers,” says Labour Minister Monte McNaughton in a statement.

”Where we find an employer who has been acting in bad faith, we won’t hesitate to take action by immediately slapping them with a ticket and a fine.

There will be real consequences for those who break the rules.”

Inspectors will focus on ensuring employees and customers are wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and following safety guidelines.

McNaughton adds they will also have the power to temporarily close a premise and disperse groups of more than five.

Inspectors will focus on workplaces with reported outbreaks, essential businesses, such as grocery stores, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution centres and food processing.