The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is calling on the province to provide urgent support to local businesses.
On Monday, Premier Doug Ford announced the region would once again miss entering Stage 2 of restarting its economy. Windsor-Essex is now the only region in Ontario that is still in Stage 1.
For businesses still not allowed to open their doors, the Chamber is calling for immediate financial support, specific to the region, and over and above already announced programs.
"These businesses are at an unfair disadvantage under the current circumstances," read a statement from the Chamber. "Several businesses will permanently close -- which in turn will have lasting negative economic impacts to our region."
The Chamber is also calling on the province to allow the selective reopening of municipalities in Essex County that have low numbers of COVID-19.
The statement continued to say three-quarters of all businesses in the region are outside Leamington and Kingsville, where most current cases are.
The statement is also signed by the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association, Canadian Association of Mold Makers, Automate Canada, and the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association.