John Beaton, executive director for the Antigonish Chamber of Commerce, said a number of factors will come into play when it comes to whether businesses will be able to open. One factor is the availability of child care. The province says child care facilities won’t be allowed to reopen until at least June 15. Beaton said if such facilities are able to reopen, it will allow more people to be able to go back to work.
Another factor Beaton mentioned is workers wanting to feel safe upon returning to work. Beaton said the various chambers of commerce in Nova Scotia are working with the provincial government to offer consultation as to how businesses can get workers re-engaged and get participation numbers up. As the pandemic moves into August and September, he said, it will be key to look at incentives in place and how they can be adjusted to encourage people to go back to work and feel safe.
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