The vaccine card mandate has caused strains to local businesses and some are struggling to remain open.
“Like many businesses, Vanderhoof Health & Fitness is struggling. The vaccine passport has put incredible strain on our business,” Raymond and Stephanie Reimer said in a Oct. 20 email to the Express.
The local gym has lost 130 members since the mandate for vaccine cards was announced by the B.C. government, which is in addition to the almost 250 members the local business has lost since the beginning of the pandemic.
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“At this point, we’re simply not sure how long we can keep the doors open. We don’t have enough members right now and we need help from the community,” the Reimer’s said.
“Our hope is that as more and more people are vaccinated, they’ll come back for in-person fitness again and that this will give us the support needed until everyone is able to come back to the gym.”
Currently, if you are vaccinated and want to return to VHF, you need to bring your vaccine card and ID to the gym anytime between Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Reimer will get you set up and back in the gym.
Scott’s Grille & Pizzeria owner Dean Scott said his restaurant is down 40 percent in sales from October 2020.
“We are definitely hurting,” he said.
Scott said there have been some people who when asked to show their vaccine passport at the restaurant, have acted surprised and left.
“I don’t understand why people are surprised that this is a thing anymore.”
He said the pandemic has caused an “unbelievable” rise in costs and is really hurting restaurants. He said prices of some products have gone up in the food industry, but restaurants can’t increase their prices by that margin.
“Our taxes have gone up since the pandemic started as well, so we are paying higher deductions for our employees, have higher cost of food, and are getting fewer people so our sales are down, and all our costs are way up,” Scott added.
Meanwhile in a recent newsletter, Vanderhoof’s Chamber of Commerce said they are continuing to work with the BC Chamber of Commerce to advocate on behalf of businesses as they navigate through challenges of the pandemic, and all the costly changes they had to implement due to health restrictions in effect.
At present, Chambers around the province are in talks with governments at all levels and are advocating for government support for small and medium size businesses.
For individuals and businesses looking for pandemic support from the federal or provincial government, there are benefits including the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy for businesses, Canada Recovery Benefit, Canada Recovery Sickness benefit, and the Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit for individuals.
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Aman Parhar
Editor - Vanderhoof Omineca Express, Caledonia Courier
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.com
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