SYDNEY, N.S. — As news of presumptive coronavirus cases heightens in Nova Scotia, so does the impact.
Ardon Mofford, owner of Governor's Pub and Eatery in Sydney, said after many sleepless nights and consulting with his staff, he made the decision to close Monday.
“It just made sense for our healthy community,” he said. “If we can somehow stem this before the inevitable gets to us then I think it will be better for us in the long run.”
In Cape Breton, Mofford said we don’t have a lot of the resources the larger centres have. To watch a doctor in Italy talking about making the difficult decision to take the respirator out of the mouth of a 76-year old to save a 22-year old shows what is being dealt with. Mofford said there are similarities here to Italy — an aging population with a lot of health issues and a lot of lung issues as we have a lot of miners. Other countries tried distancing, eliminating essential services and so on, but ultimately got overrun by this virus because of how contagious it is.
“If we can somehow come away from this relatively unscathed it will be a miracle, but I felt I’d be proactive and do what was best for my staff, my family, the customers and the population of Sydney in general,” he said. “We can change things by eliminating social interaction and eating at Governors or going to Governor’s pub for a Ceilidh is not an essential part of our lifestyle.”
Mofford conferred with his staff on the decision. On Monday, he asked his staff to come in and take all the perishable goods to help them weather the storm.
“My salaried employees are staying on payroll and I told my staff if anyone needs any help I could help them either financially or personally to reach out and I’ll help them with their situations.”
Mofford said the most important thing is everyone being safe.
“I’d rather be broke and alive than wealthy and dead,” he said. “It’s just the reality.”
Phil Dubinsky, owner of the Old Triangle Irish Alehouse in Sydney, said they – in consultation with numerous Irish pubs in Halifax — have all postponed annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations for Tuesday.
Dubinsky said they collaborated with many of the mainland pubs including Durty Nelly’s, Finbar’s Irish Pub, Celtic Corner as well as Governor’s Pub and Eatery in Sydney. In a joint Facebook message, their traditional festivities have tentatively been rescheduled for May 17. Dubinsky said they will reassess at that time.
In the meantime, all these establishments announced they will continue to operate on their regular business hours while adhering to the guidelines proposed by the province regarding social distancing and group gatherings.
Dubinsky said his Sydney pub is only open day-by-day as he monitors what’s happening.
“We’re following all the provincial government regulations and suggestions including cutting our tables 50 per cent and increasing their table spacing,” he said. “Right now the safety of our staff and our customers is number one.”
Mayflower Mall manager Greg Morrison said effective Monday evening the store hours have all been temporarily scaled back, although sometimes vary.
On Monday, the World Health Organization announced 168,019 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 6,610 deaths and there are 146 countries with cases.
Two more presumptive cases of THE COVID-19 virus were identified in Nova Scotia Monday bringing the total on the mainland to five. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday Canada was banning entry from any non-residents except from the U.S.
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil announced COVID-19 is not only having an impact on the national economy but locally. McNeil said the province is looking at support initiatives for small business in the coming days. Sunday, McNeil announced daycares closed and schools for two weeks beyond March break.
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has announced all municipal buildings closed to the public as of Tuesday, water and tax payments can be done online or by mail. Fire stations in Sydney are closed to the public, and public hearings are postponed. Cape Breton Transit buses will be limited to seating passengers only.
Meanwhile, businesses island-wide are being impacted. Derrick Burton, owner of LA Rouge Hair Studio in the North Sydney Mall, said they decided to close Monday, to do what’s best for his staff and customers.
Burton said there is a staff of eight and a heavy clientele and they’ve been doing everything they could to keep everyone safe including separating the chairs six feet, disinfecting after every haircut and other measures.
Contacting other salons, Burton said some are on the fence about what to do and are going to try and work through it wearing masks and gloves. He’s surprised the government made the social distancing rule and didn’t mandate businesses with employees and clients in close contact to close.
“I think for the safety of the staff and for the safety of the customers, it’s the right thing to do," he said. “I believe when we’re closed others will follow.”
William Delaney, owner of The Olive Tree on Victoria Road in Sydney, said they are still open their regular hours but as of Monday began offering takeout for the first time in two years.
“People actually came to the door Friday and Saturday looking for it,” he said. “They don’t want to come out where people are at but enjoy our food so we felt it was important that we as a business offer that service.’
Delaney said his business has taken all measures possible including reducing seating by 40 per cent to create social distancing between tables.
“They are all booths with high backs. We removed all our tables.”
Although they always sanitized at an extreme level, that’s been increased. There are even hand sanitizer stations as you walk in the restaurant.
A note posted on their door asking anyone with flu-like symptoms, persistent cough or sneezing or who has traveled overseas or out of the country and have not yet isolated to please visit their restaurant another time.
“Everything you can do all works to a greater good,” he said. “We have a large seniors customer base and we want them to feel comfortable coming here, not to panic or worry.”
As far as how business will change as a result of three coronavirus cases Sunday and another two Monday, he said they’ll know going forward this week.
On the Cineplex website, they’ve announced enhanced cleaning protocols in all of their buildings and reduced capacity by a minimum of 50 per cent in all 1,693 theatre auditoriums across Canada to allow for social distancing.
Hudson’s Bay’s website announces their response to the COVID-19 includes reducing announced store hours across Canada.
“We believe this is the right decision for the time being,” the statement reads.
