Two pawn shops charged for opening

Two pawns shops become London’s first businesses charged with failing to comply with COVID-19 orders

Two London pawn shops have become the first businesses in the city to be charged with failing to follow the provincial government’s emergency COVID-19 orders.

The businesses, which were not identified other than to say they were pawn shops, were each issued a Provincial Offence Notice by City of London Municipal Law Enforcement officers. If found guilty, the business owners could face a fine up to $100,000 or up to one-year imprisonment under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

“These orders are in effect to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” said Chief By-Law Officer Orest Katolyk in a released statement. “We know this is a difficult time for everyone, and that includes businesses in our community, however, these orders cannot be taken lightly. We need everyone to be doing everything they can to stop this virus from spreading.”