Officials in Ontario's Ministry of Labour announced they are launching a COVID-19 inspection blitz on Dec. 18, 2021 to ensure businesses are following public health regulations.

The Ministry of Labour says 150 provincial offences officers will be deployed across Ontario. They'll focus their efforts on big box stores, bars, salons and other high-risk settings, ensuring businesses are enforcing distancing requirements, checking vaccine certificates and following other health rules. The ministry says officers are to take an "education-first approach" to enforcement, but won't hesitate to fine repeat offenders and those willfully flouting the rules.

The blitz follows the announcement of new COVID-19 restrictions by the province. Those measures come into effect on Dec. 19, 2021.