To Dr. Chirico and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit:
We, the Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce, are formally requesting empirical data to support the continued lockdown of our community.
Our district requires fair consideration when it comes to the COVID-19 restrictions and response. Based on the data available to the business community, our district was prepared to reopen on February 16, 2021, respecting all guidelines set forth from your office.
The numbers in the Parry Sound Area were reflective of a reopening.
Frankly, the announcement of an extension to February 22nd came as a complete shock to our business community.
COVID CASES: Our districts' cases are quite low per capita. As per your data, Parry Sound has 87 total cases, 8 currently active, and ONE death. 78 cases have been resolved, which bodes well for the area’s efforts in managing the viral threat.
Our businesses rely on having their doors open. Given the red tape, convoluted application processes, and denials for financial assistance, our business owners are not receiving the financial compensation required for extended closures. The reaction to the extended reopening date has been met with severe disappointment, and demand for more reasoning surrounding the inclusion of the Parry Sound district in further lockdown measures.
Although there are higher identified cases of the VOC (Variant of Concern) in the North Bay region in the last few weeks, and two preliminary positives in Parry Sound, our new case count is still in the range of 20-25 new cases per 100,000 residents which would qualify for our region to be designated in the Yellow Zone according to Ontario’s COVID-19 framework.
While we agree that the outbreak in North Bay is very concerning, and should not be taken lightly, it has been identified and is being well monitored and managed. There are many cases of the VOC in other health units, yet those health units have returned to the reopening framework.
The Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce represents over 175 businesses in the region. Many of which are smaller operators. They have protocols, set based on the recommendations of the North Bay Parry Sound health unit, in place to protect both themselves and their customers. They have been diligently following them, especially through the summer months when our region saw an influx of visitors from other regions.
The economic impact of a continued shutdown is devastating to our region and small town.
Business owners in the Parry Sound area must be given just cause for the extended closure impacting them, as they have been lumped in with an area displaying a much higher case count and population. Of the 91,691 tests performed, 234 total positives have been discovered. Of those 234, only 87 were in the Parry Sound district, 78 of which are resolved.
Given this historical data, it is clear that our businesses are capable of opening with protocols in place.
We ask, what is the rationale behind the continued lockdown given that recent cases are still occurring during the current lockdown? We have exhibited very low cases in the Parry Sound District the entire duration of the pandemic and continue to see low numbers despite frequent visitors to the area.
As a business community, we know that protocols work when administered. Our small businesses are in the best position to apply these protocols fairly and safely, without concern for the public’s safety. Our area’s big box stores have been allowed to continue servicing customers, while our small business owners have complied with the lockdown measures, in spite of the huge impact it has had on their livelihood.
We are simply asking that the district follow the rules established by the Provinces Framework designed by Health Experts, and not include the Parry Sound area in the extended lockdown order. This includes the opening of our outdoor rinks, toboggan hills, and snowmachine trails, as other districts have.
We support the North Bay Chamber of Commerce in their ask to immediately be transitioned out of the shutdown and into the Province’s COVID-19 Framework. Given that this is the first day of the proposed reopening, and we have not been presented with any supporting data for further action, we also request that Parry Sound district be transitioned out of lockdown immediately.
See: Lockdown has created many questions and a lot of despair for local business says Chamber
On behalf of the Parry Sound and Area Chamber of Commerce, our Board of Directors and the entire business community, we thank you for your continued efforts and appreciate all those on the front lines.
Gail Burrows, President, Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce
Christy Cafovski Executive Director. Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce
