Businesses nervous about another possible COVID shutdown: CFIB
Certain 'higher-risk' settings say capacity rules are a double-standard that make no sense
Article content
They are bracing to be shuttered once again.
Some businesses across the province fear a shutdown sparked by rapidly-rising COVID cases, and the new Omicron variant, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Businesses nervous about another possible COVID shutdown: CFIB Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
“We have to be prepared for all scenarios on business closures,” said Julie Kwiecinski, director of provincial affairs for the CFIB.
“We are hoping history doesn’t repeat itself, especially now that we have vaccine passports, and we are told these will keep businesses open.”
The federation said most of its members have not gotten back to normal business levels and fear another setback through the winter months.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Other businesses — considered higher-risk settings — that were preparing to have capacity limits lifted by the province, are fuming that the Ford government backtracked on that plan.
“How is it more risk at my place than it is going to a hockey game?” asked Kasper Cameron, who manages Filmores strip club in Toronto.
“It’s discriminatory. It just doesn’t make any sense,” he said about Scotiabank Centre being allowed to function at full capacity, but not his establishment. “You would’ve thought this government would’ve learned its lesson last year from favouring big-box retailers over small business.”
A group representing dancers agrees with Cameron.
“The logic has always been flawed in the way that the government has been treating strip clubs during COVID. And it continues to be so,” said Jennifer, a member of Work Safe Twerk Safe.
“We want to comply with public health regulations, but we would like to see the capacity limits applied fairly.”
Tuesday, the government extended capacity limits in food or drink establishments with dance facilities.
Those affected by the limits include nightclubs and wedding receptions in meeting spaces where people dance, as well as strip clubs, sex clubs, and bathhouses.
Those businesses will continue to be subject to capacity limits until health officials deem it safe to lift them.
The CFIB said it wrote a letter calling on the province to do more for still struggling small businesses.
“With the arrival of the Omicron variant and rising case counts, businesses once again have been placed in a very uncertain and precarious position,” Kwiecinski said.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.