'Here we go again': Flamborough businesses react to new COVID-19 restrictions
After the Ontario government announced the province would move back to a modified Step 2 of the province's COVID-19 response - including closing restaurants, gyms and restricting non-essential retail - Flamborough business owners have been left reeling.
Premier Doug Ford announced the moves due to a surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19 at a Jan. 3 news conference.
The restrictions include keeping schools closed and shifting students to remote learning until at least Jan. 17, closing indoor dining at restaurants, bars and similar establishments and closing indoor sports and recreation facilities - including gyms. In addition, social gatherings are limited to five people indoors and 10 people outdoors, businesses are required to ensure employees work remotely unless they are required on-site, personal care services and retail stores are limited to 50 per cent capacity and capacity at indoor weddings, funerals and religious services is limited to 50 per cent capacity, among other restrictions.
The measures, which went info effect Jan. 5, will be in place until at least Jan. 26.
Here's what Flamborough businesses and stakeholders had to say about the move:
Here we go again."
- Ross Nelson, Royal Coachman
It didn't come at a good time," said Nelson, adding the Coachman was closed for two weeks over the holidays, only reopening Jan. 4. We got all the deliveries in before the news dropped."
He said the move is disappointing, but the Coachman is going to be open for takeout seven days a week and they are hopeful the community will support them.
It's very, very challenging."
- Matteo Patricelli, Flamborough Chamber of Commerce
He added the restrictions are particularly difficult for businesses to manage - particularly restaurants - as they were instituted quickly and rather last-minute.
It's impossible for these folks to plan," he said. It's very hard - especially coming out of the holidays - for these businesses."
It's not a fun time."
- Anastasia Yarrow, The Fix at 299 Dundas
Yarrow said although business is typically quieter in January, because many people are at home with their children, it is difficult for people to come to an appointment.
Although we're at 50 per cent capacity, it's hard to get even that right now because nobody can come in," she said. There's a lot of cancellations because people can't come or there's contact tracing."
Yarrow urged the community to keep supporting local businesses.
We look forward to welcoming people back as soon as restrictions are lifted."
- Kyla Kumar, YMCA of Hamilton-Burlington-Brantford
Kumar said the YMCA recognized the need to take all necessary steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19, adding while they are disappointed to be closing their doors for at least the next 21 days, they are committed to remaining connected to YMCA members and the community by providing free access to on-demand virtual health and fitness activities.
We'll also be connecting with members through phone calls and outreach because we know that the social connections of their YMCA experience are equally as important," she said.
I just don't understand why we keep going backwards."
- Mark Flippance, Marciano's Pasta Cafe
Flippance said he understands the need to prevent the health-care system from collapsing, but it is frustrating to see the flip-flopping from the government.
As long as they give us the relief quick enough that we need," he said. People's health and well-being is far more important than me making money."
From a business standpoint he said the restaurant will likely lose thousands of dollars and have to layoff staff temporarily. They will be open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. for takeout.
If it's going to happen, this is a good month for it to happen in our business."
- Gary Campbell, Magnolia House Spa Salon Boutique
Campbell said the business will certainly see some impacts over the month of January due to the new restrictions, but he said January is generally not one of their bigger months.
He said the restrictions limit their business to 50 per cent capacity and restrict any services that require the removal of a face mask - including facials, hair removal and makeup.
Facials are a good part of our business, so obviously that hurts us," he said. It will have an impact."