Shoppers exit the IGA store on Maple Avenue on Wednesday evening, the day after the province of Alberta announced new capacity limits on retail and service providers across the province in an attempt to stem rising coronavirus infections.--NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
Business owners in Medicine Hat say they can manage new restrictions on business activity – they have before – but are expecting challenging times ahead until the pandemic subsides.
Premier Jason Kenney announced new regulations Tuesday that attempt to combat a rising wave of COVID-19 cases while keeping businesses from closing completely.
Most are limited to one-quarter their capacity in what’s presented as not a “lockdown” like in the spring.
But, business owners across Alberta are facing new operating restrictions heading into the busiest shopping periods of the year.
Most who spoke to the News on Wednesday said they are better prepared, but are also concerned not only about business conditions but also beating back case numbers.
“It will be a challenge, but it’s a needed step,” said Mario Padilla, whose family operates the Mexican Hat restaurant in Crescent Heights.
He said that in the spring, when dining room service was limited and many restaurants and other businesses closed entirely for a time, take-out sales rose and local support solidified as comfort levels recovered.
“When we reopened in the spring, we bounced right back. Now, we’ve seen a decrease over the last few weeks, which is people feeling not great about going out.”
He added however, general unease and calls to limit outings could be compounded with the Holidays and people prioritizing spending within an already tight budget.
“We’re bracing for a couple of tough months, but we’ll get through it,” he said.
On Tuesday the province announced near capacity limitation, mostly at one-quarter, for almost all businesses, including all retailers and service providers. Banquet halls are closed, but movie theatres, casinos, indoor fitness classes and yoga studios remain open under a one-quarter capacity restriction.
Many offices, including the Chamber and the Medicine Hat News, also returned to a remote working policy where possible. As well, longer school breaks may require employers and employees to adjust, though childcare centres and elementary schools are still open, while junior and senior high schools close for in-person instruction on Nov. 30.
That’s still not at the levels of a near total shutdown in the spring, something that Kenney apologized for (calling it “stupid”) on social media on Wednesday afternoon.
When businesses began to reopen in June for general trade, officials and business leaders stated that traditional dollars-and-cents issues of consumer confidence were now intertwined with health matters.
Chamber of Commerce president Marcus Campbell said in a statement that “many of those in the business community would not survive” another full closure.
“We need to bring down our case counts and it will take the effort of each individual to make this happen,” read the statement.
Small businesses have also expressed concern about lockdowns, and that uneven restrictions would drive consumers to larger retailers or online for purchases.
With expenses like rent, employees and other overhead, entrepreneurs are likely headed back to their balance sheets to rework the figures.
“Most tenants have been through it before, so they’re prepared for it,” said Navneet Singh Bhui, the owner of the Arcade Plaza and the Hammond Building on Third Street.
He said the majority of his tenants can operate by appointment, or have already put in curbside pickup or online shopping procedures.
“The good part is that they will still be able to operate,” said Bhui. “The main thing is that you’ve got to use common sense. Let’s be safe.”
Capacity limits are also in place for restaurants, where seating is now restricted to one family group per table, up to six people.
Bars and pubs have a 10 p.m. last call, and must be closed by 11 p.m.
Retailers are limited to 25 per cent capacity, and many personal and professional service providers, ranging from hair salons to accounting firms, must operate by appointment only.
