Policing the wearing of masks just the latest challenge for local businesses
KIRK WINTER Writer-at-large
Customers are largely complying with mask requirement while business-owners eye an uncertain post-pandemic future.
All over Kawartha Lakes, business owners are relieved that customers have shifted to wearing the face masks required by the local health unit, but that doesn’t mean their pandemic-related struggles are over. Jim Garbutt of Lindsay’s A Buy and Sell Shop said he hopes this new regulation “will not be one more kick in the pants for local business” in what is turning out to already be a very trying and expensive year. Between the drop in tourist traffic, major construction on Lindsay’s main street, increased cleaning requirements and the reduced number of patrons allowed in an establishment at one time, local businesses are doing their best to weather the economic storm. The health-related measures are necessary to fight the pandemic and prevent a second wave of infection, and retailers and restaurants are complying. While the long-term impact of this summer’s challenges won’t be known for months, in the short term, business-owners are working to police the health unit’s requirement that customers wear masks indoors.
Over the first couple of days after the requirement came into place, local businesses reported that some customers grumbled a little, but the vast majority complied without issue, according to an informal survey of many local businesses. LaMantia’s Country Market in Lindsay reported no problems other than a minor amount of grumbling and the “odd claim of a medical condition,” according to owner David LaMantia. Bigley Shoes in Bobcaygeon said that employees have always been wearing masks for doing fittings while most of their customers were “already wearing masks,” according to a sales representative who spoke briefly with the Advocate. “A handful didn’t like the idea, but they know they don’t have a choice,” she added.
www.lindsayadvocate.ca
CONT’D ON PAGE 19
17
