RICHMOND HILL, ON — A beauty salon in Richmond Hill has been ticketed by York Region Public Health (YRPH) for failing to follow mandated disinfection protocols, prompting renewed warnings from Health Connection about infection prevention standards among personal service settings.
According to a recent report by Newmarket Today, Giva Bahar Beauty Salon, located on Yonge Street, was cited last week under provincial public health bylaws after inspectors discovered “improper disinfection” during a routine inspection. The violation underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring compliance in salons and spas across the region.
York Region Health Connection — the public health knowledge-hub that fields inquiries from residents, businesses, and health professionals — confirmed the ticketing and emphasized its commitment to transparency around inspection outcomes. The region maintains a publicly accessible registry of infection prevention and control lapses, which is updated following verified investigations.
In statements issued via Health Connection, YRPH stresses that such tickets are not issued arbitrarily: inspections are triggered by complaints, referrals, or routine surveillance, and flagged sites are posted only after confirmation of a lapse. Health Connection also urges that residents who observe potential hygiene risks — such as unsanitary tools, inadequate sterilization, or unclean conditions — should report them through the Health Connection line at 1-800-361-5653.
YRPH’s public statements reinforce that its role is not punitive but protective. The authority aims to prevent disease transmission, safeguard clients and staff in personal service settings, and support businesses in meeting standards. Health Connection provides inspection guidance, education, and follow-up after infractions to help premises return to compliance.
Giva Bahar’s ticket appears to align with a trend in the region. In recent months, multiple salons in Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and Markham have faced similar citations. In some extreme cases, salons have been ordered to close temporarily while violations are remediated.
While YRPH does not publicly detail every infraction’s exact nature prior to posting, the authority underscores that infractions have included failures in equipment sterilization, cross-contamination risks, inadequate sanitization, and unsanitary work environments.
In a broader context, the Health Connection service operates as the region’s central information line for public health, offering residents confidential advice on communicable disease, food safety, environmental hazards, and inspection outcomes. The service is available by phone Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with after-hours support through Ontario’s Health 811.
In addition to inspections, YRPH encourages preventive measures: salons and personal service operators are advised to follow rigorous disinfection protocols, document cleaning practices, train staff, and stay current with public health guidelines. Noncompliance can lead not only to tickets but also reputational damage and operational suspension.
For residents, Health Connection recommends asking staff about cleaning protocols before visiting, choosing salons that display valid inspection certificates, and reporting any suspect hygiene practices. The public line remains a key resource for clarifying whether a given premise has been cited or how to lodge a complaint.
As Giva Bahar Beauty Salon addresses its cited lapse, the incident serves as a reminder that personal care settings are frontline environments for infection risk — and that vigilance, both from operators and the public, plays a crucial role in maintaining community health.