(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Shop Respectfully

Humboldt Chamber asking public to be patient, understanding with COVID-19 changes

Jun 25, 2020 | 2:00 PM

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed all of our lives in countless ways.

That includes local business owners, who have had to implement changes and restrictions to ensure the safety of staff and customers alike.

Those changes could include masks for the staff, customer limits at tables, table placement, takeout only, increased cleaning and more.

The Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce is reminding people to shop respectfully. The chamber sent out an email to businesses recently, asking them for comments on the topic. All said the vast majority of customers have been understanding, but a few of the responses showed a ‘shocking disregard for adherence to the rules.’

Executive Director Brent Fitzpatrick told northeastNOW the new rules of being in business are not rules made up by the business owner.

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“These rules are put in place to protect all of us, and I think that has to be remembered,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s not there to be an inconvenience, it’s there to protect you, it’s there to protect the people working with you, it’s there to protect the people serving you.”

Taking out your frustration on the server or employee isn’t going to change the rules, Fitzpatrick said, and it doesn’t do anyone any good. He said a local restaurant recently experienced some frustration from potential customers.

“People came in and they wanted a table for 20. They were told they can’t get a table for 20, they’re limited to six per table, and they said ‘no, we want 20 or we’re leaving.’ So they left,” Fitzpatrick said.

He said flattening the COVID-19 curve is everything, and businesses have re-opened with new rules, and people just need to adhere to those rules.

Humboldt’s campground is fully open on Friday, but had been open at 50 per cent capacity before that, with certain campsites unavailable to adhere to social distancing protocols. Fitzpatrick said they were called about booking a specific site, and the caller became upset when they were told that site was unavailable.

“It’s very tiresome to continually explain ‘this is why.’ It is something that we all have to be aware of,” Fitzpatrick said.

He said the vast majority of people are understanding of the situation, and the changes implemented.

“But there are a few that maybe just don’t believe it or think it’s a conspiracy theory, but it’s not. It’s a real deal that we’re all having to deal with, so let’s just make the best of it that we can.”

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974