Patios that have sprung up in Medicine Hat this spring are to be closed after Sunday for at least two weeks according to new health restrictions detailed on Wednesday by the provincial government.--NEWS PHOTO
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
New restrictions on business operations to fight the spread of coronavirus feels like a re-run for some business owners, and local industry groups say they are likely growing tired of the re-runs.
“Obviously it’s a tough situation, and hopefully this is a necessarily evil that we need to get us past this last hump,” said Marcus Campbell, the president of the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce.
“But tensions are high and people are stressed out. We’ve got to do a good job on making sure each other is doing OK and have our support.”
This week the province announced new, more stringent restrictions in hopes of arrested growth of COVID-19 cases throughout the province. They limit outdoor gatherings and activities, but also close restaurants to in-person service, bar patios and personal service providers like hairstylists.
Campbell said he was surprised new business support programs weren’t announced alongside an outline of new health orders detailed this week.
Premier Jason Kenney told a press conference Wednesday morning that he would “take a look” at expanding in-place programs for small business supports but also that he hoped for a speedy resolution to the pandemic and business conditions would improve.
“Hopefully this can be a last push and businesses can get back to a decent summer,” he said.
After a month-long increase in case numbers, retailers across the province are limited to 10 per cent of fire capacity to a minimum of five people.
Patios, which had flourished as Albertans headed outdoors in warm spring weather, will be closed as of Sunday for at least two weeks. All restaurants will be closed to dine-in customers, though take-out and delivery is still available.
Personal service providers, like hairstylists, tattoo parlours and others, will close completely, as will indoor fitness facilities, including for one-on-one training.
Retail businesses have seen capacity limits since last November, and those were put in place after a relaxation of strict rules last spring.
Again, curbside pickup is promoted by the province and the suggested mode of sales.
Tabitha and Brad Pocho opened their doors Monday on a new location for the business they started in their home last October.
They sell branded apparel, sweats, T-shirts and caps under the label Evil Threats Apparel at a new storefront on Third Street, but say about half sales come from online orders with home delivery or shipping.
“We wouldn’t have done this (leased a location) if sales weren’t scaling up,” said Tabitha Pocho.
They are confident they can maintain sales and support for local businesses throughout Medicine Hat will continue.
The couple’s business isn’t eligible for many of programs rolled out by the federal or province, which require the business to be operating in 2019 to determine effect on sales.
