(Dawson Thompson/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Prospect of Lockdown

P.A. Chamber of Commerce applauds provincial government’s COVID-19 response

Nov 24, 2020 | 8:00 AM

The Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce is endorsing the provincial government’s approach to COVID-19 restrictions, saying a large-scale lockdown would be “catastrophic” for businesses.

“The societal, and economic harm [of a large-scale lockdown] would have lasting, irreversible impacts,” the organization said in a media release. “For this reason, the Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce applauds the Government of Saskatchewan’s targeted approach to address the rising case count.”

“We can’t survive another lockdown, it’s just plain and simple,” Chamber CEO, Elise Hildebrandt, told paNOW. “Our community, our businesses – nobody can handle another lockdown.”

Meanwhile, calls for tougher regulations to combat the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 in the province are growing. Last week over 400 doctors sent a letter to the premier asking for a 28-day closure of bars, bingo halls, gyms and places of worship. The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for a three week “circuit breaker” lockdown of non-essential businesses.

Premier Scott Moe, on the other hand, has maintained he does not believe a lockdown will be necessary in Saskatchewan. His government is currently consulting with the hospitality and recreation industries, as well as religious and faith leaders on potential new regulations for those sectors.

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Hildebrandt acknowledged a targeted shutdown of some industries may be necessary in the future, but emphasized the need for personal responsiblity in following recommendations like distancing and hand-washing.

“We as the people of our community have let down our guards, we’ve got to pick it back up,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s up to each one of us to make sure we follow the guidelines.”

She also underlined the importance of shopping local, and encouraged people to check if they can find the item they’re looking for in Prince Albert before buying it online or in Saskatoon.

“We’ve really got to support each other to get through this,” she said.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom