A coalition of about 50 retailers is calling on the Ontario government to lift COVID-19 restrictions for non-essential stores it claims is making things worse.

In an open letter to Premier Doug Ford, they argue that shutting down Toronto and Peel Region to restrict the virus’s spread hasn’t reduced the number of shoppers.

Instead, they say consumers are funnelled into fewer, crowded stores and adjacent communities, which potentially creates greater health risk.

They want the government to immediately open all retail stores in the province and impose a 25 per cent capacity limit on non-essential stores in lockdown regions.

Alexandra Hilkene, a spokeswoman for Health Minister Christine Elliott, says the government must limit opportunities for individuals to have close contact with others to help stop the spread of the virus.

She noted that the Ontario government is now providing $600 million in relief to support eligible businesses required to close or significantly restrict services due to enhanced public health measures.