The following is a press release from the Downtown Greater Napanee Business Improvement Area:
Downtown Greater Napanee Business Improvement Area (DGNBIA) Board of Directors announced they have passed a resolution to support KFLA Public Health medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore in his assessment of the region’s capacity and advocacy for the KFLA area to be reassessed after 14 days, with the intention to remove the lockdown.
According to the Kingstonist, Moore has said he would support local politicians who wish to lobby the province to reduce the COVID-19 lockdown in the KFLA area to 14 days and suggested local data should be reassessed after that time period.
The DGNBIA says throughout the pandemic the local main street businesses have supported and followed the direction of local Public Health advisors. They have successfully adapted to the changes and guidelines to keep the community COVID-19 numbers very low. The DGNBIA says they feel a very small portion of the transmission is being linked to retail plus that there is even less chance of transmission in smaller independent shops and services. They argue the 28-day long lockdown will do more harm than good.
“Our local businesses have been through a lot this year already,” Pam Oliver, chairperson of the DGNBIA board said in a release. “A lockdown of any kind is a setback, but reducing it to 14 days is certainly going to help. In this area, our businesses have done an amazing job of keeping our numbers very low and have followed the protocols suggested by the province and KFL&A. There is no reason to think that won’t continue if we reduce the length of the lockdown. Keeping our local business open and surviving is extremely important. We encourage all our local partners, businesses, and members to reach out to our local MP and MPP offices to support Dr. Moore in this decision.”