Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the fact three businesses — Central Avenue Hair Studio in Swift Current, Kindersley Church, and Holy Family Catholic Church in Regina — have been removed from the story after the Ministry of Health admitted that it accidentally included them on the list.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority has given a fine of $2,800 to Moose Jaw business Sweet Treats Candy Company because of a failure to wear masks in the store.
The candy shop — which opened last July at 14 River Street East — was one of four Saskatchewan businesses to receive a fine for alleged mask violations, according to a news release. From Dec. 27, 2021 to Jan. 3, the provincial COVID-19 enforcement team issued a number of summary offence tickets for failure to abide by the current public health orders.
The other Saskatchewan businesses to receive fines for alleged mask violations during that time included SKBuilt Gym in Regina, which also received a fine of $14,000 for allegedly failing to check for proof of vaccine or negative test; Whole Leaf Healing Tree in Regina; and Kingdom Sound Academy in Swift Current.
“Note that under The Health Information and Privacy Act, the Ministry of Health cannot disclose the names of individuals who have received fines,” the government added.
The province has previously said that if a business intentionally allows people to access its venue without providing proof of vaccination or testing as required, or customers don’t wear a mask, then the business is in violation of public health orders and can be subject to a ticket.
The current mandate orders all restaurants to ask customers for proof of vaccination — also known as a vaccine passport — or negative COVID-19 test before they can seat patrons. Furthermore, customers who visit any business must wear masks, except when eating or drinking.
Sweet Treats Candy Company is the second Moose Jaw-area business to receive a pandemic-related fine. The Saskatchewan Health Authority issued a fine of $14,000 in early November 2021 to Caronport business The Beacon, after it allegedly failed to screen visitors for proof of vaccination or a negative test.
