Majority of south Niagara businesses are in favour of masks, chamber says
Dolores Fabiano was surprised by the results of a survey hastily conducted in the hours before Niagara Region councillors were to vote on a bylaw to make wearing masks mandatory in grocery stores and retail shops.
Fabiano, executive director of South Niagara Chambers of Commerce, said the survey was posted online late Tuesday night and emailed to south Niagara businesses early Wednesday morning, asking business owners their opinion regarding the proposed bylaw being considered at a special council meeting Wednesday afternoon.
Fabiano said 112 chamber members responded within a few hours, with 61 per cent in favour of making it mandatory to wear masks to varying degrees, throughout the region.
She said 52 per cent of respondents voted in favour of mandatory masks for people while indoors, nine per cent voted for mandatory masks both indoors and outdoors, while 36 per cent said wearing masks should only be a recommendation and two per cent were unsure.
“That was kind of surprising because typically businesses are not really keen on governments mandating certain policies,” Fabiano said. “So, it’s a bit of a surprise.”
However, she said it reflects the community spirit of business owners.
“Here in Niagara, right from the get-go, I think everyone’s No. 1 priority has been the health and safety of not only themselves but all their colleagues, employees, customers, families, friends, as it should be,” Fabiano said.
She suspects the selfless approach to the COVID-19 pandemic may have helped Niagara cope “fairly well with all of this.”
Meanwhile, if more people were wearing masks it might also help make customer feel safer about entering local businesses, she said.
“We have been doing a fairly good job. I go out and I see people wearing masks and doing all the good things that we’re supposed to be doing, which, again, I think has put us in a good position.”
Fabiano said the information was shared with south Niagara mayors prior to the 4:30 p.m. meeting.
“Here in Niagara, right from the get-go, I think everyone’s No. 1 priority has been the health and safety of not only themselves but all their colleagues, employees, customers, families, friends.”
DOLORES FABIANO
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SOUTH NIAGARA CAMBERS OF COMMERCE