Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce to survey businesses on COVID-19 vaccine passports
The Lethbridge business community is preparing to have a tough conversation over whether proof of vaccination or other COVID-19 testing should be required for the public to attend events, take in a movie or dine out.
The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce will be sending out a survey this week, seeking input from its more than 800 members before establishing a formal position.
“We want to see what the local business voice is saying,” said chamber CEO Cindy Vos.
“How they can adapt, what are they willing to adapt to, and how fast can we help them?”
A new poll from KPMG found many small and medium-sized Canadian businesses are relying heavily on vaccines in their efforts to return to normal.
It found 84 per cent of the businesses that responded to the survey support the idea of requiring vaccine passports.
In Calgary, some restaurants have announced plans to turn away customers who can’t prove they are fully vaccinated, or can’t provide proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test.
Palomino Smokehouse owner Arlen Smith said it was a public health and business decision.
“When it comes to stuff like public safety, the wellbeing and safety of others and my ability to make a living, then I feel these sacrifices are pretty minor,” said Smith.
With COVID-19 cases on the rise, British Columbia became the third province to require proof of vaccination for anyone wanting to attend a concert, sporting event, movie, restaurant, nightclub, casino, fitness class, or even a wedding.
“This action around a B.C. vaccine card is a key step in making sure that we continue to move forward in B.C. and that we overcome COVID-19 together,” said B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix.
The B.C. government said as of Sept. 13, one dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be required for entry into certain social and recreational events.
“It’s not surprising,” said Sparwood Mayor David Wilks.
“They aren’t were they want to be from the perspective of double vaccinated people within the province.”
Wilks said he has not received any messaging from the government on how it plans to implement or enforce the new system.
“It’s going to be quite interesting, that’s for sure,” added Wilks, whose community is only 16 kilometers from the Alberta boundary.
“We have so many Albertans that come in all the time, and your regulations are far different than ours,” he said.
Wilks added, “I don’t know how that’s going to be regulated or who is going to police it.”
“It’s a really tough conversation to have right now,” said Vos.
“Businesses have just been able to reopen, and then this looming threat of okay we can’t let you in if you aren’t vaccinated.”
Several businesses declined to do interviews because vaccinations have become such a controversial subject. One restaurant operator said after a year and a half of fighting for survival, they were not prepared to turn some customers away by demanding a COVID-19 vaccination.
Telegraph Taphouse Manager Tracey Rogerson said it’s understandable that some business owners are reluctant to comment.
“You just feel like you’re under fire all the time,” said Rogerson.
She said they’re prepared to do whatever they need to, in order to prevent another closure. But Rogerson maintains any regulations around vaccinations need to make sense.
“If it’s not mandatory for people who work in restaurants or wherever to have the shot, how can we force people coming in here to get the shot to be able to dine?”
The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce said it plans to send out the survey Wednesday, and compile the results in about a week.
Vos said non-members are also welcome to respond.
The chamber will also be meeting with local health officials and having discussions with its board members.
Vos said the business organization wants to be proactive and prepared, something that has been extremely difficult during a pandemic where rules are constantly changing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Scottie Scheffler isn't the first pro golfer to be arrested during a tournament
Scottie Scheffler's arrest hours before his second-round tee time at the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, will go down as one of the most shocking in professional golf history. It certainly wasn't the first, though.
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta border: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Canadian convicted of attacking Nancy Pelosi's husband with a hammer sentenced to 30 years
The man convicted of attempting to kidnap then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacking her husband with a hammer was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison.
World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.
Australia's richest woman seeks removal of her portrait from exhibition
Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there's no guarantee that the audience will understand it, or even like it.
B.C. optometrist warns against trending eye colour change procedure
A medical procedure that can permanently change a person's eye colour may be trending on social media, but a B.C. optometrist is warning about the significant risks associated.