'It's so unclear': Businesses groan over complicated measures, understand need for COVID rules
In the wake of new provincial restrictions and mere days before a vaccine passport-like system is implemented in Alberta, entrepreneurs are figuring how to play the hand they've been dealt.
"The burden is falling again on small business to be the bad guys because our leadership team doesn't want to do what's right for all of its constituents and not just the people they're trying to pander to,” Paul Shufelt, chef and owner of Robert Spencer Hospitality, told CTV News Edmonton. “That’s what's frustrating, and that's what's cruel."
That was how he described his initial reaction to the Alberta government's late-Wednesday announcement that something like – but not to be called – a vaccine passport would be brought in by the following week.
Starting Sept. 20, restaurants can either require proof of vaccination or a negative test, or limit dining to outdoor service and end liquor sales by 10 p.m.
Top government and health officials said Alberta's health system was in crisis, with ICUs nearing 100 per cent capacity.
Shufelt pointed to the Alberta government's weeks-long rejection a fourth COVID-19 wave posed any serious risk while other provinces planned and brought in vaccine passports.
"Long term, this might be better because I think people will feel more comfortable. But we've taken it so far… For weeks, we've said everything's fine and then yesterday: oh no, everything's not fine, it's horrible, we're 10 days away from our hospitals [being] in a critical state. That just sends fear amongst those that have done the right thing," he said, noting a number of cancellations since Wednesday evening.
"We're in a position where a couple of things have happened. Number one, we've put hospitals, nurses and doctors and those that are sick at risk again... We've also really shown no respect for the people that have – the people and the small businesses – that have done the right thing not once, not twice but three times – and now a fourth time are asked to do the right thing again."
- Oilers, Elks unclear on Alberta's new COVID-19 restrictions
- Delayed vaccine status cards: What Albertans need to know
- Delayed COVID-19 test results hurting some Albertans' bottom line
The president and CEO of Alberta Chambers of Commerce also said the system leaves businesses having to take a stance.
"It does put businesses, definitely, in a very tough position if their particular community they have a very low vaccination rate or they have a very vocal opposition to vaccinations," Ken Kobly told CTV News Edmonton.
'DON'T KNOW IF THEY COULD HAVE MADE IT MORE COMPLICATED'
Shufelt's mixed feelings aren't unique across the small business sector, Kobly said.
"I think people breathed a bit of a sigh of relief that there is an option for them to remain open, but I would say there is still major concerns about the enforcement being placed back onto primarily small businesses," Ken Kobly told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday.
"As we saw with masking, that tends to be a very difficult issue and I'm not sure whether the support will be there from bylaw enforcement police if a situation somewhat gets out of hand."
That's one of the many questions he and Shufelt have. Also: How can businesses that don't neatly fit into a category get answers quicker than they did in any of the previous three waves? Food fairs within malls, Kobly offered as an example. Will operators need to ask for vaccine status, assuming that was done at a main entrance?
And, how do the workers accepting proof from customers know what documentation authentic?
"It's not that straight forward," Jenna Pryor, one of the co-owners of Plum Home + Design, told CTV News Edmonton. "The province hasn't really said, 'This is what you get to look for.'"
Kobly commented, "When you get into the more detailed questions, the logistical questions, that will be an issue come Monday."
For Blake MacDonald, president of Orange Theory Fitness, the restrictions and proof of vaccination requirements themselves are still unclear.
“We’ve got tonnes of questions,” MacDonald said. “It’s not 100 per cent clear how it’s expected to be rolled out.”
All noted the province is giving four days' time between announcing the vaccine status rules and implementing them on Monday.
"We're only going to release the MyHealth card on Sept. 19 and we're going to expect that four million Albertans are going to jump on the website and try to get on there at the same time and download this card so they have it? It's asinine," Shufelt said.
"It's so unclear. I don't know if they could have made it more complicated."
That's why Plum won't ask take part in the exemption program until the following week.
Speaking about the queue that has held up thousands of Albertans from accessing MyHealth Records in recent days, Pryor said, "Asking our customers to get everything sorted out by Monday is unrealistic."
The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce also recognized its role in protecting Alberta's health system, but called for clarity on the rules and a quick development of a mobile QR code.
"Businesses are diverse and there are many questions about how the new program will be applied. The program needs to be relatively simple for business to implement at their various workplaces in order to protect their staff and customers."
Alberta's chief medical officer of health has said businesses do not need to formally register in the exemption program and that AHS will conduct audits to track compliance and enforcement. Dr. Deena Hinshaw said she believed the “majority” of Albertans will follow the rules.
“When the majority of Albertans pitch together and make sure that we are doing everything we can, we will be successful,” she said.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Dan Grummett
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.