With another state of emergency and stay at home order issued in Ontario, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is looking at ways to soften the negative impact of COVID-19 restrictions on local small businesses.
Chief Administrative Officer Don Shropshire said the municipality is once again mulling over delaying property tax payments and waving penalties for late payments for the hardest hit small businesses, as it did last year. Shropshire added much of the support for small businesses comes from upper levels of government and the Economic Development Corporation continues looking for additional support programs for that sector. He says local MPPs have been or will be contacted about more support. Shropshire added the economic situation is tricky because not every business has been affected in the same manner. He said some businesses have actually had a good year.
"The people that have been involved in providing things like landscaping services or installation of pools or spas, they actually had great years. They've talked at length about their best years ever," said Shropshire.
He realizes the hospitality industry has suffered the brunt of the negative economic impact because of the revolving restrictions and closures but not everybody can be painted with the same brush. Shropshire said nobody wants to see stores close, although some have already, and work is being done to get people through this current phase. He added the COVID19 restrictions aren't there to penalize anybody.
"At the end of the day it's not like there's another path that's easy to walk. The restrictions that we have from the province are intended to get us out of this pickle as soon as we can," Shropshire added. "If we don't think the current provincial and federal governments aren't concerned about the economic impact, I think we're fooling ourselves. I think they know exactly what the potential impact is and they are trying as best they can to walk the tight rope between making sure people are as safe as they can be and not killing off all economic activity."
Shropshire also said upper levels of government have done a good job adjusting business restrictions as the pandemic has changed to allow curbside pickup and restricting big box stores to just selling essential items as a response to small business concerns.
Mayor Darrin Canniff hopes this is the last time for a stay at home order and we can get back to normal soon with the help of ramped up vaccinations.
Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby reminds everyone that COVID-19 restrictions and stay at home orders are not the problem, they are the solution because they have worked before to reduce the spread of the virus.