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Safety precautions need to continue to make Phase 3 a success: Chamber of Commerce

Health and safety of workers and the public is still the number one priority as more businesses are set to reopen, said Shakiba Shayani, president and CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce
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If the Stage 3 reopening of Ontario’s economy results in an increase in COVID-19 cases and a second shutdown similar to what happened in March, it could prove disastrous for local businesses, said the president of the local Chamber of Commerce.

On Friday the province of Ontario will move the reopening of the economy into Phase 3, which among other things will allow restaurants to offer indoor dining, gyms to reopen and movie theatres to allow patrons to return.

“I think it’s a good signal about the direction we are going in,” said Shakiba Shayani, president and CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, about the reopening.

Along with allowing more businesses to open, the province is increasing the number of people who can attend outdoor events to 100 and capping indoor events at 50. The province did not increase the social bubble to allow for more than the current 10 people and physical distancing rules still apply.

Health and safety of workers and the public is still the number one priority as more businesses are set to reopen, said Shayani.

“We haven’t come to a place where we don’t need to be worried about the virus,” said Shayani. “Even the information about social gathering sizes increasing, the reality is you still have to abide by social distancing and mask-wearing protocols that are in place.”

Community members and businesses do have a responsibility to use caution and be mindful, regardless of what directives the government puts out, she said.

“Now the point is, as long as you have health and safety measures and protocols in place and you communicate them with your clients and customers, that you can be open and that is what is most important,” said Shayani.

Although there was some confusion from Chamber members early in the reopening of the economy, Shayani said that has mostly died down.

“I haven’t heard from anyone who is having a hard time navigating anymore. I would suspect most people have found a way to either expand their business online or through curbside pick-up, but many if not most retailers have opened some kind of indoor capacity,” she said.

Having said that, Shayani said the Chamber exists to help its members to continue to navigate through Phase 3. For instance, a ‘shop local’ campaign is in the works to help support local business owners.

“Networking and creating connections between members is a huge priority of ours,” said Shayani. “We want to continue to deliver content that really highlights the business advantage of being a member of the Chamber,” she said.

The Chamber also created a personal protective equipment (PPE) directory prior to the Stage 1 reopening to assist its members in finding equipment to keep workers and customers safe during the pandemic, while supporting local suppliers.

“Items continue to be refined and expanded on — at first it was just gloves and masks and now it’s plexiglass and cleaning supplies that meet Public Health requirements and are green,” said Shayani. “That has continued to evolve and I am sure it will into the future.”

The province is still recommending that those people who can work from home continue to do so. Shayani supports this decision.

“If the trajectory changes and we see case numbers increase, that they will go back to tightening,” said Shayani. “That is more problematic than anything. We have heard from businesses large and small that say a shut down to the degree there was in March and the confusion that will cause will be more devastating than being careful right now as we are reopening.”

“When you notice that productivity is still high and that work-life balance can still be found most of the time from home, there’s certainly no urgency to return until we are at a safer number on the health side,” she added.


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Kenneth Armstrong

About the Author: Kenneth Armstrong

Kenneth Armstrong is a news reporter and photojournalist who regularly covers municipal government, business and politics and photographs events, sports and features.
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