WARMINGTON: Ontario businesses taken to cleaners by 'lockdown light'
Author of the article:
Joe Warmington
Publishing date:
Dec 17, 2021 • 11 hours ago • 2 minute read •
20 Comments
Closed due to COVID sign.
Closed due to COVID sign. Getty Images
Article content
For Ontarians who have done everything asked of them, it feels like they have been taken to the cleaners.
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
I tried to ask Joe at my local Cadet Cleaners for a comment on the province’s response to the Omicron variant, but his shop is now out of business.
“We are closing down as we cannot meet the increased rent,” a notice on the door read.
Via text message, he said “pandemic business was too slow” and with people not gathering for office meetings or parties, he was done.
“Thanks for your love and support for our business in the past 18 years.”
The owner of a Cadet Cleaners at 4099 Erin Mills Pkwy., in Mississauga, recently closed his business because he couldn't afford rising rent combined with the losses caused by the pandemic.
The owner of a Cadet Cleaners at 4099 Erin Mills Pkwy., in Mississauga, recently closed his business because he couldn’t afford rising rent combined with the losses caused by the pandemic. Photo by Joe Warmington /Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network
Count Joe as a COVID victim. Which business is next?
Lord knows there are many establishments in pandemic bankruptcy. And on Friday, Premier Doug Ford and Dr. Kieran Moore presented what might as well be a stake in the hearts of those barely hanging on.
Reduce the indoor gathering limit from 25 to 10. Maximum outdoor gatherings from 100 to 25. Capacity at 50% for indoor events. Prohibit food and drink at sports, concerts, theatres, casinos or horse racing. Bars close at 11 p.m.
This is effectively a lockdown without calling it one — lockdown light. It hasn’t worked before and it is killing the economic engine and spirit of the province and its people.
Same people, same solutions, same result.
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
Do the latest provincial restrictions to combat Omicron go too far or not far enough?
Too far
Not far enough
Vote
View Results
It’s all for a variant described as like a common flu that has killed few but has the whole province in panic mode and racing for a third COVID-19 “booster” shot.
So much for life getting back to normal by social distancing, wearing your mask, cancelling vacations, being way from work and taking two jabs.
It’s clear they don’t have an answer how to get past a coronavirus that infects the vaccinated and unvaccinated.
“People were stunned,” said Rick Hugglestone at Mississauga’s Mulligan’s Pub. “It’s all crazy. They say 10,000 are allowed in Scotiabank Arena, but no food or drink? Who makes these rules? This industry has had no real help for three months, and now they are crippling us.”
Like dry cleaner Joe, will Rick at Mulligans soon have a notice on his door too?
Advertisement
Story continues below
Article content
“I don’t know. I truly don’t know this time,” said Hugglestone, whose business has limped along with on-and-off-again hurdles only to end up back at square one. “They cut off relief months ago, so who knows.”
Pat Quinn Jr. at P.J. O’Brien and Regan Irvine at The Irv both say they will move forward one day at time and hope for an end to this madness. Meanwhile, time will tell how much tolerance the public has for new restrictions, jabs and testing.
“Dr. Peter Juni at the science table suggesting we are moaning was a disgraceful and elitist thing to say,” Hugglestone said. “I will trade paycheques with him.”
If Juni saw a pub owner’s income, then maybe he would understand what being taken to the cleaners feels like.
jwarmington@postmedia.com
For Ontarians who have done everything asked of them, it feels like they have been taken to the cleaners.
torontosun.com