Newmarket calls on province to reopen patio dining, personal services, shopping

'It’s getting so concerning and really, really desperate,' says Councillor Grace Simon

Newmarkettoday.ca
June 2, 2021

Newmarket Councillor Grace Simon is doing regular livestreams speaking with small businesses. She initiated the council resolution asking the province to hasten reopening personal care services, one-on-one shopping and patio dining. Supplied Photo/Facebook
Newmarket councillors are calling on the province to reopen personal services, restaurant patios and one-on-one shopping “as soon as possible.”

Council approved the resolution May 31, which included circulating it to other municipalities in York Region.

Although those services remain closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the resolution notes York Region has vaccinated more than 70 per cent of its adult population. Cases are also falling, with Newmarket having no new cases June 1, the first time that has happened since March 3.

Councillor Grace Simon initiated the resolution at the May 25 committee of the whole meeting, prompted by discussions with local businesses.

“It has just become so overwhelming to interact with our small businesses in our community,” Simon said. “With the continued lockdown, the amount of lost jobs, it’s getting so concerning and really, really desperate.”

The province plans to do a staged reopening in 21-day intervals. Step one, due for consideration June 14, would allow outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, outdoor dining with four people per table, and 15 per cent capacity for non-essential retail. Personal care services are not scheduled to resume until step two of the province's reopening framework, which would start July 5 at the earliest.

Deputy Mayor Tom Vegh supported the idea and said transmission is minimal from shopping, compared to certain workplaces and people living closely together.

“We are following the best public health guidelines,” Vegh said. “We haven’t let politics trump science and we will continue with that approach, but there is data to support your motion.”

Mayor John Taylor said it will help give the province justification if it decides to reopen ahead of schedule.

“We’re just sending a message,” Taylor said. “Please give all the thought you can to small business.”

Simon said personal care services are hurting and should be able to reopen, particularly smaller ones who might only serve one or two customers at a time.

“The fact they haven’t been able to operate, it’s devastating,” Simon said. “It really, really is devastating.”