“If we don’t see those numbers come back in the fall for the downtown workers — that really is their primary customer base — it’s going to be a challenge,” Fenske told 680 CJOB.
“When we look at what kind of downtown do we want when we come out of this pandemic … it is something that is vibrant.”
Get weekly health news
Fenske said only a small number of downtown businesses have closed permanently due to the coronavirus crisis, and businesses generally feel they’ve made it past the worst economic effects of COVID-19.
Read more: Skywalk reopens in downtown Winnipeg
Read more: No new Manitoba coronavirus cases Tuesday, City of Winnipeg recalling some employees
Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce president Loren Remillard told 680 CJOB his organization started bringing staff back into the office at the beginning of June but took a staggered approach.
- Live Nation, U.S. DOJ to settle lawsuit alleging music industry monopoly
- How the Iran war impacts your grocery bills: ‘Everything is going to go up’
- Oil prices soar as G7 ministers to meet on strategic reserves and Iran war
- ‘They did it in a very sneaky way’: Uber rider deletes app after cleaning fee dispute over pet
Remillard praised the province’s low coronavirus numbers — Manitoba had a full week without any new COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday — and said local businesses are doing their part to keep the number of cases down.
“I think Manitobans are to be congratulated, but I wouldn’t say it’s a cautious approach… I would say a responsible approach,” he said.
“Everyone’s doing their part to ensure that Manitoba becomes the envy of the country.
“I think the frustration that some businesses are experiencing is that we have been doing a great job, and businesses are doing everything — and then some — to ensure the safety of their workplace and their customers… and yet there’s still some reticence from the general public to engage with the economy.”
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.