'It's very aloof': Business owners disappointed with Manitoba's reopening plan
Business owners in Manitoba have been eagerly awaiting the province's reopening plan and watched closely as it was unveiled Thursday.
For many, the plan was vague and disappointing.
"My business hangs in the balance of people not willing to get their first vaccines," said Christopher Graves, who owns the King's Head Pub.
"That's just not fair at all."
The province's reopening plan focuses on vaccine targets as the benchmark to reopen with Canada Day as the first goal. At least 70 per cent of Manitobans 12 and older will need to have at least one dose and 25 per cent with two doses for the first phase of the plan to be rolled out in July.
"Even if we do get to open according to their plan, we may only be at 25 per cent capacity still," said Graves. "It's very aloof. We don't know if restaurants and bars are even open in this first plan."
Another business left with questions is Sapphire Hair Lounge on Academy Road.
"We patiently watched and waited for them to name our industry, and they haven't really," said co-owner Kelly O'Leary.
The plan simply states, "Meeting vaccine targets by Canada Day means businesses, services and facilities can open at 25 per cent or greater levels," but does not go into further detail.
O'Leary is hoping salons will be included in the first phase of reopening.
"We're ready to go. We have the PPE, we have all the cleaning stuff. We just have to call our clients and get them back in the book, but we are champions at that now," said O'Leary.
Under the last major round of restrictions, fitness centres and gyms were also forced to close.
"There's so much uncertainty just trying to plan as a small business owner," said Tim Yuen, owner of 9Round Downtown Fitness.
"Every day, we're just not really sure which day we need to let our members know."
While Yuen wishes he had clarity on an opening date, he said the reopening plan is promising.
"It is encouraging that it is moving in the right direction. I don't know how fast it can be changed, like I don't know if it's the following week we increase from five to 10," said Yuen.
The province said on Thursday if vaccine targets are met early, the plan could be sped up.
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce said the reopening plan is long overdue, and while it does provide businesses with hope, it is lacking details.
The organization is calling for more financial supports, in the meantime, to help struggling businesses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.