Today’s grey-lockdown designation by the province was implemented to lower COVID-19 case numbers in Simcoe-Muskoka, but it has only raised the ire of many business people and local leaders.
Last week, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s medical officer of health, Dr. Charles Gardner, said he might ask the province to put the region in lockdown because of a 30 per cent increase in cases, as well as community spread of the more transmissible B.1.1.7 variant strain of COVID-19 that originated in the United Kingdom.
On Friday, the province announced it was moving Simcoe-Muskoka from red to grey as of Monday, March 1, invoking more restrictions, such as eliminating in-establishment dining at restaurants and closing personal care shops (hair salons, gyms).
A petition started Friday has gained more than 19,000 signatures with hopes of having the provincial government change the grey-zone designation for Simcoe-Muskoka.
Started by North Swing Golf Lounge owner Emil Kamel, the petition is being sent to local and provincial political leaders as well as the local health unit.
“There has not been a single reported outbreak in any restaurant, gym, salon, day spa, recreational facility or other small businesses in our region as we have all complied with restrictions,” says a statement on the petition page. “Yet, here we are AGAIN shouldering the weight of a decision not based on facts or meaningful science.”
Along with the petition, there is a rolling protest this afternoon involving the region's dance studios.
Protest organizer Lexi Cooper will be on hand today at the rolling protests at Barrie City Hall from 2-5 p.m. as Simcoe County dance studios voice their concerns about being shut down starting today.
The 15-year-old, who attends classes at the Barrie Dance Conservatory, told BarrieToday she was very frustrated at Monday’s grey-zone designation, which closes her studio along with all others.
“This is not fair. We have been following every guideline and not had any issues. Now we have to close when the studio is a place for all of us to feel better mentally and physically,” Cooper said.
Cooper also said she's confused with the lack of consistency. Her studio, with classes of 10 people, has to close, but her dance course at Bear Creek Secondary School, with upwards of 20 students, can stay open.
“I don’t understand the logic with that. There really isn’t any,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sun Emporium owner Christian Linkert has been vocal for weeks on social media about the effect COVID restrictions have had on his tanning salon business.
Despite the grey-zone designation forcing him to have to close temporarily, Linkert said he will not be following the order and will stay open, with all safety precautions in place.
“I have no choice but to stay open,” Linkert said. “This isn’t about fighting the man and it certainly isn’t about being a pandemic denier. I know this is real and needs to be taken seriously. This is about me needing to, safely, stay open so I don’t go out of business and eventually personally bankrupt.”
Sun Emporium requires customers to text when they get to the shop, allowing staff to ensure the lobby is clear and to wipe down areas needed.
Linkert understands there may be fines for staying open, but he told BarrieToday he has one of two choices to make. Closing on his own without fighting will ruin him financially.
“If I stay open and do so like I have been, with all the proper safety protocols in place, and I still get fined I can try and fight it, but maybe it puts me out of business. If I close on my own, that's it; I’m done and can’t come back from it,” Linkert said.
“The government isn’t paying my bills. That's the misconception people have about us small businesses,” he added. “I have so many costs and there is no real help coming from any level of government.”
On Sunday, Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman said he was going to ask provincial leaders and Dr. Gardner to allow small businesses that can operate safely to do so.
“One big box store in Barrie alone has had 10 cases and ... I agree with the reduced capacity in these stores,” Lehman said on social media. “We should be targeting areas of public health concern – workplaces including large retail stores with congregate settings where distancing or protection protocols are a problem or are a source of infection.”
As of Monday morning, Lehman told BarrieToday he had not yet received a response to his concerns.
