PG Chamber CEO says businesses being encumbered by staff shortages

Prince George gyms are working hard to stay strong after being closed for nearly a month.

Under enhanced health measures by the province, gyms and health clubs re-opened today (Thursday) under strict mask and physical distancing requirements.

Chamber of Commerce CEO, Todd Corrigall understood the public pressure to re-open gyms sooner as “essential services” like liquor stores were allowed to maintain the status quo.

“There frustrations are based on the fact that last year they were put in a position to put in place some of the most rigid safety plans out of any business model that was approved by the provincial health officer and there was no tangible data that mass spread was occurring at gyms.”

“Now, have they been rightfully compensated for the challenges that they have faced? Absolutely not. But, we also have to look at other sectors of the economy that continue to struggle that have received no dollars as well.”

In addition, the fifth wave of the pandemic is hitting local businesses a bit differently due to the highly-transmissible Omicron variant according to Corrigall.

Unlike the previous four waves, staffing levels are being severely impacted this time around.

“What we are seeing is businesses that are being encumbered by loss of staff. So, we are seeing functional closures of some schools, not here at this point but in other parts of the province. We have seen a pharmacy close its doors for a few days and we have seen a couple of other businesses do the same as their staff recovered.”

“They are being impacted by a loss of staffing, which in turn is turning into a loss of revenue.”