Some businesses will bear the impacts of additional public health restrictions after the Government of the Northwest Territories announced further COVID-19 limits on gatherings, Wednesday.

From Sept. 24 at 11:59 p.m. to Oct 4, there will be a limit of 10 people allowed at indoor gatherings and 25 for ones held outdoors.

The territorial government recognizes that businesses deemed non-essential will have to cope, Premier Caroline Cochrane said during a Sept. 22 news conference.

SA国际影视传媒淭he restrictions are impacting and are going to impact businesses and theySA国际影视传媒檙e going to impact residents, and so weSA国际影视传媒檙e looking at what we can do to support all,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Cochrane said there are federal and territorial support programs currently in place, and members of her government are meeting with the NWT Chamber of Commerce and NWT Tourism SA国际影视传媒渢o make sure that we have identified all the needs of businesses and that supports that we can implement are appropriate.SA国际影视传媒�

Dr. Kami Kandola, the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 chief public health officer, identified a long list of essential businesses that will remain open and exempt from the rules, including grocery and large retail stores. Other businesses that fall under this label include shelters, dental clinics, pharmacies, gas bars, convenience stores, banks, liquor stores, media outlets and the airport. Still others will include health-care workers, , supply chain workers and businesses involved in construction of public and Indigenous infrastructure projects.

Private businesses involved in the mineral and petroleum resource industry will remain functioning over the 10-day period, too.

Others, however, like small retail and food and beverage operations will have to follow the indoor gathering guidelines.

Renee Comeau, executive director with the NWT Chamber of Commerce, said her organization and the GNWT are both aware that the restrictions are going to hit certain businesses more than others, particularly food and beverage and accommodations.

SA国际影视传媒漈heySA国际影视传媒檙e (food and beverage and accommodations) still allowed to be open, but to be honest, especially when youSA国际影视传媒檙e dealing with food and beverage, weSA国际影视传媒檙e very aware of the fact itSA国际影视传媒檚 not going to fit for them,SA国际影视传媒� Comeau said. SA国际影视传媒淪o I think right now the best thing that you can do for them is support delivery.SA国际影视传媒�

Comeau said the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 announcement came very quickly and although the chamber has been critical of the COVID Secretariat in the past, she added that the GNWT public health body has been actively trying to find solutions that will have the least impact on the business community.

Programs available to assist food and beverage establishments include the GNWT Pandemic Relief Extension Program (PREP). The federal government also has its Canadian Recovery Program, which continues to provide income support for workers.

Comeau said the restrictions add to burdens food and beverage businesses are already facing with labour shortages and trying to hire people. Others may have to lay people off.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey canSA国际影视传媒檛 just not pay their staff for 10 days and as great as delivery is, sometimes it actually costs more money than what theySA国际影视传媒檙e making because their margins are so low,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淪o there is a concern that if theySA国际影视传媒檙e not able to do something to keep their staff, it could make it worse.SA国际影视传媒�

Jennifer Vornbrock, co-owner of the Monkey Tree Pub, said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 frustrated by the additional indoor gathering restrictions.

SheSA国际影视传媒檚 critical of the territorial governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 approach to reach a solution for restaurants.

SA国际影视传媒滻SA国际影视传媒檓 all for keeping everything safe and doing what we need to do to make sure the healthcare system doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 collapse, but please tell me if the situation is so dire at this very moment, why are we waiting three days to shut down?SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e letting everybody gallivant around town for the next three days and then closing at midnight on Friday? That doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 make any sense.SA国际影视传媒�

SheSA国际影视传媒檚 worried about her staff who depend on wages and is helping some travel for the 10 days to take a break from the situation. In addition, takeout or delivery doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 provide the revenue needed, particularly because so much comes from alcohol sales, according to Vornbrock. She has applied to the territorial government for an exemption to allow for 25 per cent of her establishmentSA国际影视传媒檚 capacity - or 51 people. She said this would make sense, given the size of the pub at 4,000 square feet.

SA国际影视传媒漈o say that you can only operate with 10 people, regardless of your size is actual insanity,SA国际影视传媒� she contended.

Mel Leonard, marketing and communications manager with the NWT Brewing Company, stated that the company will comply with the public health guidelines while still offering access to its products.

SA国际影视传媒淭he ownership and management of the Woodyard and NWT Brewing take the health and safety of our community, as well as our staff, very seriously,SA国际影视传媒� Leonard said. SA国际影视传媒淲hile not an ideal situation, we understand the need for the current circuit breaker restrictions announced on Wednesday. The Woodyard will do our part, and will operate with expanded touchless takeout for both food and beer off-sales during this period. SA国际影视传媒�