Comfort level powers business response to mask decision: survey

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This article was published 28/02/2022 (1480 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Stefanson government may be doffing mandatory indoor mask use for Manitobans on March 15, but almost one-third of businesses are saying they will continue insisting on the measure.

An online survey by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, which received 440 responses, has found 32 per cent of businesses will voluntarily continue with mask restrictions for either customers or workers even though the government will no longer require it.

A further 42 per cent say they will be dropping the requirement.

As well, while the government says, starting March 1, it is eliminating proof of vaccination COVID-19 requirements, 29 per cent of businesses say they will continue them; 48 per cent say they won’t.

Chuck Davidson, chambers president and chief executive officer, said he’s not surprised by the responses.

“It’s what we’ve been hearing from during discussions with them,” he said Monday. “But it’s really all about Manitobans and how ready they are and what they are comfortable with.

“That’s why we see businesses saying we’ll get rid of the vaccination requirement, while others are saying no, and 23 per cent are saying we don’t know,” Davidson said.

“Businesses are getting a better sense from their customers how comfortable people are. It’s all about your customers.”

Last month, the government began lifting restrictions by allowing all businesses in the province, including restaurants and retail, to open to 100 per cent capacity.

The government also said further restrictions would be lifted March 1 and 15.

When businesses were asked whether — since the federal government eased testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers returning to Canada on Feb. 28 — they would resume business-related travel, 22 per cent said they would begin travelling both domestically and internationally, 10 per cent said only in Canada, and 18 per cent said they had already resumed travelling before the change.

Only seven per cent said they wouldn’t be resuming business travel after Feb. 28, while 14 per cent said they still needed to determine whether they would or not.

When asked how long they estimate it would take before revenues returned to pre-pandemic levels, 38 per cent said it would be another year, 13 per cent said six months, eight per cent said three months, and five per cent said never.

Thirty-five per cent reported revenue didn’t change during the pandemic.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca