Winnipeg grocer fights back against rumour that several staff members contracted COVID-19

The owner of an Indiangrocery store in Winnipeg says he's losing business after a lie that several of his employees contracted COVID-19 was spread online.

Jagjit Gill is fighting back against the rumour, whichappeared onWhatsAppmessaging app last week and was seen by many people in Winnipeg's Indian community, he said.

The rumour evolvedto the point wherefour employees of Gill's Supermarket on Keewatin Street were purported to have confirmed cases of COVID-19. Gillinsists the claimis false and none of hisemployees have contracted the virus.

The falsehood hastanked his business, he said. Sales are down by as much as 40 per cent since Monday.

"It's affecting our business big time people stop coming and less people coming into the store, and they're all worried about it."

Gill said store employeeshavefielded "hundreds" of calls and messages from worried customers asking if they need to self-isolate.

Origin of rumour unknown

He said he has no idea how the rumourstarted, or who would fabricate it.

"It's upset me becausewe're taking more precautions to bring in customers [during the pandemic]and we're taking care of our employees and we really wanted everybody safe and sound, and thenthis happens," he said.

"This kind of rumour forced usdown, so this bothers me."

Health officials have previouslysaid they would only name a business where a person was infected with COVID-19 if there's a risk to public safety.

"Based on investigations to date, no diagnosed cases have been linked to this business," a government spokesperson said on Thursday.

The owner took matters into his own hands Monday night by addressing the hearsayon his company's Facebook page. He's also had a store onPembina Highway for the past five years.

Gurinder Brar has worked at the Keewatin store for a year. In addition to fielding many phone calls from customers, she said she heard from many family and friends who wanted to ensure she was safe.

"This news is in our community, sothere's lots of customersthey're permanent customersand they're worried because they had been to the store," she said, explaining the grocery store would have alerted the authorities if they were experiencing an outbreak.

Gillsaid the rumour isanother blow tobusiness. He's already worried about supplyshortages from India, where he gets some of his grocery items. Thecountry is experiencing an exponential spike in COVID-19 infections.

He's thankful, though,the business he's operatedfor 16 years is starting to bounce back.

A few customers leaving the store on Wednesday night told a reporter they hadn't heard of the rumour.

WATCH | Winnipeg grocer fights back against COVID-19 rumours:

Grocer says COVID rumours tanked his business

4 years ago

Duration 1:49

The owner of an Indian grocery store in Winnipeg says he's losing business after a lie that several of his employees contracted COVID-19 was spread online.