Innisfail’s mayor is asking the premier to relax restrictions based off of a geographic region’s number of active COVID-19 cases.
Mayor Jim Romane wrote a letter to Premier Jason Kenney this past Tuesday. That letter was released to the public through the town website on Thursday.
“In light of recent discussions both amongst ourselves and with some of our municipal neighbours, however, it is becoming increasingly evident ongoing restrictions will result in more and more of our community’s small businesses being unable to survive,” Romane said in the letter.
“Among those that were fortunate enough to prevail through earlier closures and restrictions, we are now anticipating many to unfortunately succumb. We fear for the well-being of the men and women — our valued citizens and community members — who own and operate these businesses. Their absence will result in unspeakable loss for the entire community.”
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Romane is asking the provincial government to consider the following:
- Relax existing restrictions in a manner that reflects, and directly corresponds with, a geographic region’s number of active cases;
- Allow businesses to re-open/increase capacity in municipalities and geographic regions in which an appropriate per-capita rate of active cases (on the low end) has been achieved;
- Revisit existing funding and relief programs to ensure the level of support being provided aligns with the true needs of small businesses.
Romane said these means continue to recognize and address the “seriousness” of the situation, while affording small business owners the ability to safely and gradually re-open and resume operation.
“While we recognize and appreciate there is no simple solution to the unprecedented issues we currently face, we, as a municipality, appreciate the efforts being made by all levels of government to protect the health and well-being of our citizens,” said Romane.
“By continuing to work together toward solutions that are realistic, fair and equitable — and which continue to protect the health and safety of our citizens — we can all begin to look forward to eventual reprieve.”