Frustration continues to mount for those working in the service industry.
To show their dismay with the ongoing lockdown restrictions, more than a dozen local residents gathered along Midland’s main street Wednesday to voice their concerns over a system they say isn’t treating them fairly.
Organized by Jay Cee Vleer, the ongoing protests on King Street that are expected to continue Thursday have brought together barbers, hair stylists and restaurant servers along with a host of other professionals that have been most affected by the province’s series of lockdowns.
Vleer, who works as a tattoo artist at Stained of the Art in Midland, said it’s simply not fair that large box stores are allowed to open without being limited to selling just groceries and pharmaceuticals while smaller businesses that can more closely monitor customers aren’t permitted to even open their doors.
“We follow very strict rules and maintain high sanitary standards,” Vleer said, noting that she only sees clients on a one-on-one basis and that all health protocols are closely followed before, during and after any procedure.
“Hairdressers, nail salons, barbershops, tattoo artists, we’re still following all of the protocols.”
Gina Hayes works as a server at Captain Ken’s Diner & Pub in Penetanguishene.
“It’s really affecting everybody,” said Hayes as motorists honk their horns in support. “Captain Ken’s is now just doing takeout. When we had the 10-person dine-in guideline it was fabulous.”
Hayes said allowing restaurants to serve at least 10 people at a time also fulfilled an important social component that people need.
“We’re just trying to support everybody,” Hayes said.
Chris Walsh, who manages the History Barbershop Company location in uptown Midland, said the government isn’t showing any logic with its decision to punish businesses that already followed high sanitary protocols.
“We need to get some balance back into this,” said Walsh, who also works as a barber. “We follow the highest levels of cleanliness.”
And what’s more frustrating for these businesses, according to those gathered Wednesday, is the fact they were already going above and beyond heightened levels of hygiene before the pandemic even started.
“We didn’t just start doing this when the pandemic started,” Walsh said. “On a regular day, we followed strict protocols in the shop. We feel we’ve been unfairly treated.”
Shelby Butzer, who works as a hairstylist at Panache Spa & Hair Salon in Midland, said the closure is now affecting her ability to pay her bills.
“It’s been really hard,” Butzer said, noting she’s already dipped into her savings and is now finding it challenging when mortgage and car payments become due.
Butzer said she just wants to return to work and looks forward to seeing her regular clients again.
“Our services provide a huge social thing for the community,” she said.
“I do love what I do and this doesn’t make any sense. People can go to Wal-Mart where they have 50 people in the store, but not a place where it’s one-on-one service.”
