Many Newmarket shoppers, retail employees and small business owners met the news that York Region is being placed in lockdown on Monday, Dec. 14 with a mixture of frustration and resignation.
While Toronto and Peel Region have been in the grey lockdown zone of the province's reopening framework for weeks, the Christmas shopping season was in full swing Friday afternoon in Newmarket when it was announced that York Region will be moving from the red control zone into the most restrictive zone.
On Friday afternoon, Upper Canada Mall's parking was packed, while Newmarket's Main Street was also busy with patrons shopping and dining.
Multiple shoppers at the mall disagreed with the lockdown decision and felt like the provincial government was not taking into account just how much it was going to hurt people's livelihoods.
"I don't feel it's necessary," said Sasha Hristova. "I feel like the region has been doing very well. We should be able to live our lives."
Others voiced the opposite perspective.
"It's very unfortunate, especially during this time of the year," said a shopper named Wayne, who declined to give his last name. "I work at the hospital, though, so I see it day to day. Some people are just not being careful."
For Al Delvecchio, the lockdown will make very little difference.
"It won't be too different than now. I'll just keep sitting at home, which is fine with me," he said.
Without doubt, the lockdown will have a big impact on Newmarket's small business owners and employees.
"I think it's really sad for all the mom and pop shops," said Valerie Codin, who works part-time in a Main Street boutique. "We are doing everything right."
The owner of the Neon Flamingo Emporium and Cafe, Ted Heald, said the lockdown is arriving just as his December sales were recovering to near-normal levels. This month represents 30 to 35 per cent of his store's earnings for the year, and the support of local shoppers has made a big difference.
Heald told NewmarketToday that he accepts the necessity of a lockdown and believes his business will survive. But he is still livid with the provincial government and Premier Doug Ford.
The biggest problem with the lockdown, said Heald, is that big box stores are still allowed to be open and sell items that are not necessities, thereby stealing all of the business of small stores that will be forced to close or subsist on curbside pickup.
"The premier was dishonest when he said there were logistical problems for preventing stores like Costco and Walmart (from selling non-essential items during lockdown). I feel that the government is being influenced by big business," said Heald.
"If it's going to apply to us, I'm OK with it as long as it applies to everyone. If you have a pharmacy and a grocery store, don't tell me you can't control the selling of jeans and all that other stuff."
"If we are all in this together, we should all share in the burden, which goes for landlords as well."
A shopper on Main Street, Sue Sotiriou, agreed that big box stores are getting special treatment.
"We could have a system where we rotate who can be open," she said. "Let's close down the big boys."
Here's what you can and can't do as of 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 14:
- All indoor public events and social gatherings (with people outside one's own household) are banned.
- Organized public events held outdoors are restricted to 10 people.
- Religious services, funerals and weddings are restricted to 10 people both indoors and outdoors.
- All post-secondary institutions are limited to virtual classes.
- All indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants is banned, although delivery, takeout and drive-thru are permitted.
- All indoor and outdoor sports and recreational facilities are closed, although outdoor rinks, trails and ski hills can operate with restrictions.
- All meeting and event spaces are closed except for specific exceptions like mental health and addictions support programs.
- All retail stores are limited to curbside pickup, except for:
- supermarkets
- grocery stores
- liquor stores
- pharmacies
- hardware stores
- All personal care services are closed.
- Cinemas and performing arts centres are closed.
