The acting executive director of the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce says there’s a mix of nervousness and anxiousness among business owners to re-open.
Susan Fox says many of those business owners took advantage of government programs during the COVID-19 lockdown, but that money only goes so far.
Fox tells The Hawk some owners will be forced to close permanently if they don’t reopen now.
“They’re nervous and anxious to get open,” she says. “They also know that safety is an issue for them and for the people- they’re hoping that people will understand that they’re doing everything that they can to make it a safe environment for people to come out.”
Fox says the biggest concerns she hears have to do with re-opening plans; some owners have been given plans by reps with their industry associations, while others have to figure it out for themselves.
She says chamber officials are working with business owners who haven’t received a plan.
Fox says availability of PPE is another issue, as it’s required to put those plans into action.
