It appears not too many people here in the Northwest are supportive when it comes to the extension of the stay at home order.
When Kenora MPP Greg Rickford shared the news on his official Facebook page, area residents made their feelings known, calling the extension “wrong,” “ridiculous,” and even “stupid.”
Many say they would like to see a more regional approach, which last month Rickford said he was confident we should see, as the COVID situation in southern Ontario is much different than the situation here in the north.
Others are continuing to ask why some things in stores like makeup have been deemed essential and can be sold, while children’s clothes and necessities like underwear cannot.
When asked, the Ministry of Health said in a prepared statement that the limits are in place to level the playing field.
“Recognizing the impact that COVID-19 has had on businesses, our government amended rules in the Shutdown Zone, as outlined in O.Reg 82/20 to ensure that big box/discount stores only engage in retail sales for certain specified categories of essential items. These categories are limited to: grocery items, pet care supplies, household cleaning supplies, pharmaceutical items, health care items and personal care items. Given the vast number of types of items that big box/discount retailers sell, the prescribed categories ensure that retailers have the flexibility needed to categorize all items sold. Should a big box/discount store wish to sell other items, they must comply with any applicable conditions that other retailers that sell those items comply with. Placing limits on the types of goods that can be sold in big box stores will protect against COVID-19 variants and provide an even playing field for small businesses who sell similar goods by requiring these goods to be sold through curbside pick-up or delivery.”
What the statement does not do, however, is give a clear answer to the question asked.
Even though curbside pickup is available at big box stores like Walmart, the retail giant’s website says even when an item is in stock locally it could be weeks before pickup is available.
Another common call is for the Province to bring back flat rate off-peak pricing for hydro while students and their parents are forced to work and learn from home. That is something that Rickford, the Minister of Energy, has maintained is not going to come back.
Following the announcement Thursday that restrictions were being extended, Rickford joined Premier Ford and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones in blaming the current COVID-19 situation in Ontario on the federal government for not imposing stricter border measures.
