Small businesses asking to stay open if fourth wave lockdowns happen
Posted Aug 12, 2021 4:09 pm.
Last Updated Aug 12, 2021 6:56 pm.
EDMONTON (CityNews) – As cases of the Delta variant continue to rise, small businesses are on edge again over what a rise in cases might mean for them.
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Small businesses CityNews spoke with at the beginning of the third wave said they wouldn’t be able to survive another lockdown.
A petition is urging provinces to create a plan that will allow businesses to remain open if a fourth wave lockdown occurs. They’re saying additional restrictions and lockdowns need to be a last resort, not a first one.
Along with being allowed to stay open, businesses are also asking for masking indoors, if needed. More use of rapid testing, and proof of vaccination for travel and large events.
“Use it as a last resort. Push comes to shove to keep businesses open. And of course, if that were to come, that it of course provides a legal framework for business owners to do it and they are not left with any legal liabilities,” explained Annie Dormuth, with Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses.
WATCH: Canada’s 4th COVID-19 wave is here. What will is look like?
Dormuth says further lockdowns or restrictions would be both financially and emotionally devastating. Saying many businesses would not survive.
“So I fully anticipate they would be even more hard-pressed to survive if a fourth wave of restrictions were to occur.”
Adding only 68 per cent of small businesses across the country are fully open, 45 per cent are fully staffed and only 35 per cent are making normal sales.
On Thursday, Alberta reported 550 COVID-19 cases, the highest number of new daily cases for the province since May 27th.
Meanwhile, Quebec reported 369 new cases, Ontario and British Columbia reported over 500 new cases and Manitoba reported 34.
Next week Alberta will be dropping most health restrictions, the province’s opposition is calling for the Kenney government to continue testing, tracing and isolation — saying it would help to keep businesses open.
“Kenney the UCP need to release a new plan to keep businesses open to show that COVID-19 is contained and under control,” said Deron Bilous, Alberta NDP MLA.
