Local businesses eager to get going again
By COLLIN GALLANT on May 2, 2020.
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant There’s a growing sense of excitement among Medicine Hat’s business community about a plan to re-open later this month as health restrictions are eased gradually, but also a growing sense of the unknown, say business leaders. Many stores and service providers are approaching seven weeks of weathering severely curtailed business activity, altered operations, or just plain-old being shut down. A new plan by the province to “re-open” some services and almost all retail stores on May 15 was announced Thursday, with others due in future phases, but all subject to meeting health guidelines to hamper the spread of COVID-19. “A lot of business owners are really eager to get at it,” sad Tracy Noullett, the chair of the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce. “But the challenge is to find out the information about meeting (health) protocols, making sure the customer can have a clean, safe experience.” “The biggest challenge is giving a customer the confidence they can come back. Currently, grocery stores and other commercial businesses considered essential remained open after the province instituted a shut-down of public access when 15 or more people might be expected. That includes all sit-down service in restaurants and most non-food, non-essential supply retailers, but starting on May 15 most retailers will be able to open if they abide by measures for increased sanitation and allowing for physical distancing of customers. Many businesses moved to by-appointment-only service, online sales, or altered operations to accommodate customers. But many small business owners went into a holding pattern, cutting staff and other costs, in an attempt to meet fixed costs, like rent, and survive the sharp slowdown. Now they will have to make decisions about increasing variable costs, the largest being for staffing, and the potential costs of meeting health regulations while activity recovers. The other side of the equation is whether customers will have enough confidence in the health situation or their financial situation to go out and begin spending money again. “I hope people look into how they can get out and be safe and support local businesses,” said Noullett, adding that while some sectors of the economy have weathered the storm better than others, such as construction, each faces specific challenges. “There are a lot of unknowns (for business operators) – they are going to have to be very careful and rely on supports,” said Noullett, referencing government subsidies, grants and programs for things like wages and rent, adding those are still in flux for many businesses. “No one is going to be going 100 per cent right away. It’s just not possible.” How it could go A plan to re-open categories of businesses and general activities announced by the province of Alberta will move from phase to phase and is dependent on controlling the rate of infection, and could be scaled back on a case-by-case, regional or province-wide basis. “While restrictions are gradually eased across the province, an outbreak may mean that they need to be strengthened temporarily in a local area,” reads the statement from the province late Thursday. The batch of May 15 “re-openings” include all retail stores, some personal services (such as barbers), health related services (such as dental, physiotherapy an optometry), museums, and dine-in restaurants, albeit with capacity restrictions. Daycares and out-of-school care, as well as some outdoor activities would be allowed, but not festivals or events or normal operations that include gatherings of more than 15 people in relatively small spaces. That means movie theatres, spas, gyms and night clubs would remain restricted. The following undated phase, to be scheduled by health officials after evaluating phase one’s effect on new cases, would expand to other businesses, and an increase in non-emergency medical procedures in the health system. The third phase would include pools and gyms, bars, large gatherings, and conferences. The remainder of businesses, as well as restrictions on non-essential travel would be lifted at that time. 23-22
