In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, businesses have been struggling to find a balance between remaining open for business and protecting staff and customers.
Pending layoffs and unemployment are on the minds of hourly workers and business owners alike, both worried how the response to COVID-19 will affect their place of business.
Will they be able to make ends meet, stay in business or keep their jobs as customers are being told to stay away from large groups of people, as social distancing is one of the more effective ways to prevent transmission of coronavirus?
Many national chains such as Moore’s Clothing for Men, Cineplex, and GoodLife Fitness try to manage their corporate messaging during times of crises by restricting staff from speaking openly about circumstances.
One employee at Moore’s, who did not want to be identified, explained that while the company was doing everything it could to keep the stores and inventory clean, customers have definitely been staying away since the outbreak of COVID-19.
“With wedding season coming up, we’re normally pretty busy but things have dropped right off. We’re paid straight commission here, so when we don’t have any sales, it really hits our paycheques,” the employee told NewmarketToday.
“We’re expecting major slowdowns, but so far, the stores are still open, and we’re still being scheduled for shifts.”
Some consumers are being driven by fear and misinformation. Panic buying and hoarding has become rampant as basic food and hygiene items are being bought up as fast as the stores can fill the shelves.
For some larger chains like Costco, their distribution network allows them to increase the number of trucks they have bringing products to the stores in an attempt to meet demand.
With lineups running from the front of the store to the back, Costco workers are rationing bathroom tissue at a rate of one package per customer.
“We have multiple trucks coming in every day, but the bathroom tissue, bottled water and milk are sold out,” said one of the workers.
Businesses, both big and small, are following the guidance of the World Health Organization and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
With a nearly empty theatre for the 7 p.m. show, staff at Cineplex’s SilverCity in Newmarket were vigorously cleaning everything from PIN pads to door handles.
GoodLife Fitness was closely following suit, stepping up cleaning services, as well as discontinuing some services and limiting class sizes, but the chain announced it would be closing this morning.
“I’m going to keep coming to the gym until they tell me I can’t. It’s not just about fitness, I need this for my mental health,” said Pamela Pereira, a longtime member at GoodLife Fitness, said yesterday.
“It is with a heavy heart that we have made the decision to close operations at all of our Clubs effective Monday, March 16 until further notice, to ensure we are doing our part to flatten the curve and impact of COVID-19,” GoodLife Founder and CEO, David Patchell-Evans wrote in an email to employees.
All member payments will be suspended for the duration of the closure and staff will continue to be paid for the next two weeks.
Smaller, independent businesses are feeling the changes a little closer to home.
“There’s been a big difference. Maybe 30 to 50 per cent of our customers are coming in now. What the customers are saying is that they want to stay home and not go out to any public place,” explained Pri Bala, co-owner of Wild Wings in Newmarket.
“This will affect all business. Whether it’s one month or three months, we have to survive this time. We’ll probably have to cut back some of the workers and spend more of our time here, as owners, to keep the business running,” Bala continued.
Wild Wings, located beside the GO bus terminal on Davis Drive, has five regular employees plus contracted service providers like Jackie Kozak of Scaraoke Entertainment, who are a regular draw for the customers.
“If this keeps up, I’m going to be out of business. This is like a zombie apocalypse,” said Kozak, who is currently exploring ways to diversify her business.
Across town, Kristie Ferrio, manager of Made in Mexico on Main Street, has a more optimistic outlook.
“Some people are just in hysteria mode and cancelling reservations but there are still people who are willing to come out and spend some money in their local businesses and restaurants, which is good because that’s how we survive,” said Ferrio.
Down the street, Boris Fong, owner of Hungry Brew Hops, is similarly grateful for his customers.
“It’s been a struggle. With this whole coronavirus thing, I’ve never gone through anything like this in my life. I worry about the customers, our staff and just human lives in general. We’re blessed that we’re still busy, but it has taken a big bite out of us,” said Fong.
“The customers are open-minded and trusting. A lot of them are saying that ‘If we were fearful, we wouldn’t be here’.”
