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New Provincial Restrictions
 
We are all scrambling to try to understand what the new provincial restrictions are. I’ve spent much of today trying to get clarification but with limited success as of now. The provincial government has promised to post more information later today.
 
This afternoon I attended an emergency meeting of the Business Sector Support Task Force that I’ve served on throughout the pandemic and there were more questions than answers unfortunately.
 
Here are questions that were asked and the few bits of solid information I could get:
 
Question: Does the REP apply to my staff? 
Answer: There is no mandatory employee vaccination, the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) is for customers. So staff doesn’t have to be vaccinated to work, however they do need to be fully masked.
(That said if an employee came into your business on their day off they would need to be considered a customer and subject to the REP if shopping or dining.)
(Also the Chamber of Commerce has free rapid testing kits available.)
 
Question: How do businesses sign up?
Answer: Businesses don’t have to apply to be in the REP; they will be automatically enrolled in the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP).
 
Question: What if a business chooses not to participate in REP?
Answer: Then your business has to return to take out/curbside pickup only.
 
Question: What does “businesses that need to be accessed for daily living” mean? Is this new language for essential versus non-essential businesses?
Answer: The province was vague on this. Will keep asking for more clarity.
 
Question: Will the City supply signage for businesses to post in their windows or on their doors about new restrictions?
Answer: Yes communication team is working on this already.
 
Question: What about enforcement? If protestors cause trouble in a business who do I call?
Answer: City is working on this.
 
I will be attending a Business Advisory Council meeting tomorrow so watch for another update newsletter tomorrow.
 
In the meantime here a a link to some FAQs compiled today by the Chamber of Commerce: https://calgarychamber.com/covid19-rep-faq
 
Pop Up Patios
Last a note about pop up patios:
Council voted to make pop up patios a permanent feature of our City scene but in the future pop –up patios will be set up in the street parking spots to improve walkability on sidewalks and minimize ramps and detours for pedestrians of all abilities. The BRZs/BIAs will continue to negotiate with the City about more attractive fencing to demarcate patios.
Please stay tuned. I know this is frustrating. I’ll send more information as soon as I have it.
 
 
Annie

Annie MacInnis
Executive Director
Kensington Business Revitalization Zone
200 203 10A Street NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1W7
Cell: 403-969-3216
Email: kensingtonbrz@shaw.ca
Copyright © 2021 Kensington Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ), All rights reserved.


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