Many local businesses began the process of reopening on Tuesday, as the province entered Phase 2 of B.C.'s Restart Plan.
On Friday, WorkSafeBC release its industry-specific guidelines for restaurants, cafes, pubs, salons, personal services, retail businesses, office-based businesses and other public and private services.
"We are opening today, it is the first day being back to work" TL Nails owner Long Trinh said. "For the last two months people have been calling, asking when we will be open."
Trinh said the new requirements for the personal services sector haven't had a large impact on their operations.
"We already have a lot of systems in place, when we opened the salon," he said. "Now I just put a few things up."
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry ordered personal services like salons, spas and tattoo parlours closed in March, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The long closure meant, "a lot of bills to pay with no revenue," Trinh said.
However, not every business allowed to reopen on Tuesday was able to.
Cimo Mediterranean Grill manager Teresa Oliveira said the prominent downtown restaurant won't be reopening its dining room until next week, on a reservation-only basis.
"We have to have a safety plan. All the staff have to be retrained," Oliveira said.
As part of the new public health measures for restaurants, only half the normal number of tables will be available. Those looking to get their spaghetti carbonara fix should plan ahead.
"We have a waiting list already, of people waiting for the date."
Nearly 30 retailers and restaurants reopened at Pine Centre Mall on Tuesday, with more scheduled to reopen later this month and on June 1. According to the mall's website, seating in the foodcourt area is limited and restricted to those purchasing food at the foodcourt. Other services like the play area, guest services, stroller and wheelchair rental, vending machines, kids rides and massage chairs remain closed.
Prince George Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Corrigall urged residents to go online to www.supportpg.ca for up-to-date information on what local businesses are open.
"Local business, predominantly, are ready and able to serve their customers. However, there remains some ambiguity to the rules and we hope that our webinar with WorkSafe BC on May 19th will help clarify some of those rules, regulations and limitations," Corrigall said in an email. "Since the very beginning, we have seen our local business rise up, collaborate, and innovate. Unfortunately, we have lost some businesses along the way and we hope that new measures will entice consumers back to our tremendous local shops and retailers."
While many local businesses will be opening their doors in the next few weeks, some businesses – particularly bars and clubs – remain closed under the provincial health orders, with no fixed timeline for when they can reopen.
That poses a major challenge for those business categories, Corrigall said.
"Social distancing requires space between us, while bars and clubs are built off of close, personal interactions. I know government continues to work on solutions and the chamber continues to advocate for increased engagement with the business owners directly. After all, they live this every day and know the opportunities to mitigate (the risk) intimately," he said.
Businesses in every industry will face challenges as B.C.'s economy adjusts to the new normal, he said.
"Small businesses have faced tremendous challenges and competition through the years,” Corrigall said. "Their resiliency is directly tied to their ability to market, innovate and engage. We see this as another opportunity for the businesses to meet those challenges head on, with the chamber's support and resourcing always available."
