One Windsor-Essex municipality has asked the local health unit to lift restrictions on local businesses.
The Town of Kingsville has issued a resolution, urging the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit to reconsider an order to reduce the capacity of bars and restaurants to 50 per cent, claiming it will have a detrimental effect on already-struggling businesses during the critical holiday season.
Mayor Nelson Santos told WindsorNewsToday.ca that they want the health unit to rethink its course of action.
"We feel there's a need to ask the health unit to correct their current instruction, for the sake of not just their health, but also at this time of year, the fear is they've struggled so much through the economic setbacks and certainly the additional lockdown measures in the past," said Santos.
According to the resolution, the town accepts that measures to slow the spread of the virus, namely the concerning Omicron variant, are needed, but there needs to be some form of consistency.
"The Town of Kingsville believes sufficient requirements are in place regarding gathering limitations and is greatly concerned for the creation of an unlevel playing field for restaurants and bars, who represent the only targeted businesses in this reduction of capacity to 50 per cent as it impairs their economic health at this critical time of year," read the resolution.
The new health unit recommendations come after a Kingsville restaurant, Elite, was the scene of a party where at least 45 people tested positive for COVID-19. Santos said he's heard from many local businesses who feel like they're being shown up.
"They're concerned about them being the ones singled out for the current instruction when you see no other impact on neighbouring businesses that are right next door or the other, larger venues that are still permitted to have functions," said Santos.
Santos said he hopes that the town's resolution opens up discussion.
---with files from Adelle Loiselle