The head of the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce says the majority of respondents to their business reopening survey are in favour of a mandatory masking bylaw.
CEO Allan Calvert told Sue Storr on CHOK (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) Wednesday morning that just under 80 per cent said they want mask wearing mandated.
He said businesses are also telling him that more customers have been coming through their doors since the city bylaw was implemented.
"Absolutely, there's no question about it. And, if you will recall, the last time we spoke on this a good number of those people that had not been coming out were the seniors' community. They're the ones that have been most sensitive to this pandemic."
Calvert said 68 per cent of survey respondents said the overall cost of providing personal protective equipment (PPE) has been a challenge.
"Obviously no one budgeted for this," he said. "When you are out shopping, whether it's the grocery store, Home Depot or whatever it is, when you look at the number of acrylic shields, and the staff equipment and sanitizer and labels on the floor, that's all expensive gear."
Despite the pandemic, Calvert said economic activity locally is pretty good, although he adds we're certainly not out of the woods.
He said while businesses have adapted, some like homebuilders, are still having supply problems for materials like two-by-fours.
-With files from Sue Storr
https://soundcloud.com/blackburnradio-sarnia/covid-19-sarnia-lambton-chamber-of-commerce-ceo-allan-calvert-sept-2-2020
