A major grocery store chain is limiting the number of customers allowed into its stores at any one time as part of a stepped up effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.
In an emailed statement, Save On Foods says all its B.C. stores will be run at “a maximum 50 per cent occupancy until further notice.”
“We have posted the occupancy count with signage at the front of each store and the teams are working to increase signage in areas that typically see congestion such as our front end, or in service departments like our deli or bakery,” the statement reads.
By late last week, signs had been posted at stores in the Lower Mainland and by Monday a sign was up at the entrance to the Save On at Parkwood Shopping Centre limiting capacity to 370 customers.
"This is all part of our efforts to reinforce that physical distancing is required whenever possible for the safety of both team members and customers and as outlined in our COVID-19 safety plan, which has been re-instated as ordered by our Public Health Officer."
Save on Foods said it has also increased frequency of disinfecting and sanitizing of all areas of their stores and is checking all employees, suppliers or business partners for symptoms prior to entering the buildings.
The complainant, Martin May, alleged he was stopped from entering a Loblaws store in early October 2020 and yelled at "in front of crowds" to wear a face mask.
May claimed this was discriminatory because he did not wear a mask due to suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, an inflammatory disease that causes difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing.
Loblaws told the tribunal that all of its stores Canada-wide had implemented a company policy requiring people to wear masks indoors. The B.C. government did not introduce a provincial mask mandate until mid-November 2020.
The company, which operates Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart and Extra Foods, also argued that May did not present evidence that he was exempt from wearing a mask due to his medical condition or prove that one of its employees yelled at him.
Despite extensions and notice to respond to the argument, May failed to present further information.
Because of the overall lack of evidence, including how he was prevented from entering the store, tribunal chair Emily Ohler dismissed the complaint in the Jan. 21 decision.
- with files from Carol Eugene Park, Glacier Media
