The LCBO is once again open on Mondays
Posted March 2, 2021 12:59 pm.
Last Updated March 2, 2021 2:03 pm.
The Sunday stockpile is over for LCBO customers as Monday shopping resumed this week at most locations.
The LCBO told 680 NEWS that as the province continues to ease COVID-19 restrictions, it’s updating its operating hours, including opening on Monday.
“We continue to restrict capacity and hours in accordance with public health guidance across the province,” an LCBO spokesperson said.
NEW – Liquor stores will open on Mondays again. The LCBO tells 680NEWS: "As the province continues to ease COVID-19 restrictions, the LCBO has updated our operating hours, including opening on Mondays. We continue to restrict capacity and hours"
— Richard Southern (@RichardCityNews) March 2, 2021
LCBO locations will now be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
However, customers are still being asked to call or look online to confirm specific store hours.
At the start of the pandemic in Ontario, Premier Doug Ford announced the stores would be closed on Mondays for enhanced COVID-19 cleaning procedures.
However, according to the company’s union OPSEU/SEFPO, LCBO management refused to schedule staff on Mondays and just had them work on the other six days.
“That meant the LCBO workers had less time to do their work and face more frequent customer rushes, making it more difficult for them to rigorously observe the safety and cleaning protocols,” said OPSEU.
OPSEU/SEFPO president Warren (Smokey) Thomas said in a statement, the Monday closings were also giving private alcohol retailers an unfair leg up and “every sale that a private retailer takes from the LCBO means less money coming back to government for public services.”
“This is great news for us and great news for our customers,” said Colleen MacLeod, the chair of the OPSEU/SEFPO Liquor Board Employees Division. “We’ll now have the time and the space we need to do our essential work as safely as possible.”
In a tweet, the LCBO also said it would go back to accepting returns as of March 1.
The liquor board also recently announced it is ending its participation in the Air Miles Reward Program.
The over 20-year partnership between the liquor board and rewards program will conclude on March 31.
With files from Victoria Williston/CityNews Ottawa
