Crime & Safety During COVID-19 Crisis
Domestic Violence Surging in Canada - Stores Rolling Out New Safety Measures

A 'Tsunami' of Domestic Violence in Canada? Abuse Calls Up 300%
Advocates Scramble to Help Victims as Calls Skyrocket During COVID-19
Advocacy groups are sounding the alarm on what is being described as an epidemic of domestic violence in Canada, as victims are confined to their homes with their abusers amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Battered Women's Support Services (BWSS), which provides educational and support services for victims of domestic violence across Canada, began scaling up their crisis support measures long before physical distancing measures were mandated in Canada, after MacDougall was warned by colleagues in China that a “tsunami” of abuse would become a side effect of the coronavirus pandemic.

As soon as we went 24/7, our calls steadily increased progressively – 50 per cent to a hundred per cent until the peak at 300 per cent,” MacDougall said. Of the women who have called BSWW for support during the pandemic, an estimated 40 per cent are living in abusive situations, isolated with their abusers.

To make matters worse, many of these women have been stripped of their only respite from abuse, whether it be leaving the house to go to work, take the kids to school, or socialize. ctvnews.ca

Editor's Note: As we reported in the Daily last week, domestic violence isn't just exploding in Canada. It has become a 'global crime epidemic' during the COVID-19 crisis as the virus stifles the criminal justice system, changes law enforcement, and keeps people isolated with their abusers.  

Store Safety Measures for Canada's Reopening
Peregrine Launches Next Wave of Plexiglass Shields for Business Re-Openings
Vancouver-based Peregrine, a designer and manufacturer of high-end retail and restaurant environments from some of the world’s best-known brands, has pivoted during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis and is now poised for the second wave of plexiglass shield production for businesses.

Brian French, the company’s president, said Peregrine immediately pivoted to make plastic safety shields for various essential businesses and services which did not close during the crisis.

“We are seeing a second wave of demand from retailers, hotels, and restaurants that will be reopening with the easing of restrictions. Based on our research of other parts of the world that are ahead of us, we expect part of their reopening strategy will include plexiglass shields strategically placed to protect staff and customers,” said French.

French said, British Columbian restaurant owners have been in consultation with the B.C. Health Authority on what is important to reopen, this included plexiglass shields. retail-insider.com

Private appointments, self checkouts and daily sanitizing: It won’t be ‘business as usual’ when Toronto stores reopen
With Ontario allowing retail businesses to begin offering curbside pickup this week, many are looking forward to the day they can open their doors to customers. But the retail environment won’t look like it once did, and business owners are preparing for the new normal.

Even before COVID-19, there were strict processes in place for cleaning jewelry, but things will be ramped up, Aburaneh said. Fixtures will be moved around to help with traffic flow, there will be a guest maximum and all staff will have personal protective equipment like masks and gloves.

For one, he thinks customers will continue to want home delivery, wary of rushing into stores anytime soon. He’s also looking at using iPads so customers can do relatively contactless self-checkouts in the store. Stores are undergoing a deep clean, and the company will enforce daily sanitizing of all surfaces. thestar.com

Tim Hortons lays out new dining room plans, hoping to reopen across Canada by next month

VIDEO: Safety advice for employers as Canada reopens

Coronavirus Crisis Sends Canadian Retail into the Abyss