Photo by Curtis Galbraith

By Emily Keller

business

Chamber of Commerce looking forward to province’s economic relaunch strategy

May 1, 2020 | 3:19 PM

The province announced their phased economic relaunch strategy on Thursday, including proposed dates of reopening of businesses.

The strategy, which is separated into three stages, will see some parts of the economy opening beginning next week, and more, including retail and hair salons and barbershops, potentially reopening on May 14.

Stage one of the strategy may also see cafés, and restaurants with no bar service reopen at 50 per cent capacity. Movie theatres, theatres, spas, gyms, and nightclubs will not reopen in stage one.

Larry Gibson, Chair of the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce, says almost all sectors of the economy in Alberta have been affected by the closures caused by COVID-19.

“Hospitality has definitely taken a large hit, tourism, and small businesses, those are the ones that really felt this the most, and I know that they’re the ones that are looking forward to a successful relaunch strategy as well.”

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Gibson says he believes the province’s proposed strategy seems well thought out and that the regulations and rules still in place will hopefully prevent an outbreak.

He does say that he can see potential for some negative aspects of the strategy.

“Some of the protocols and equipment that these companies and businesses may have to purchase due to new regulations or new restrictions, could be a significant cost to those companies to do so, so that’s something we’ll be keeping an eye on.”