Lockdown Rules For N.S. Businesses Confusing, Says Owner Of Rousseau Chocolatier
HALIFAX – For the past week, everyone in Nova Scotia has been trying to navigate life with the new rules imposed under lockdown by the provincial government. It is an especially big change to business owners who are now trying to figure what is and is not allowed under the new shopping rules.
Nathalie Morin, who co-owns Rousseau Chocolatier in Downtown Halifax, knows how complicated the rules can be for businesses. When the new rules were announced, Morin said she didn’t know whether or not her shop would be considered “essential.”
But after making some phone calls to her restaurant association, she found out she fell under rules related to coffee shops (Rousseau Chocolatier also sells coffee and other food items). It meant they could stay open under severe restrictions.
“So, we removed all of our products from our shelves,” explained Morin. “It’s basically a counter service. So, someone will come up to the counter and order chocolate, or a croissant, or a coffee, to take out.”
Morin can only allow two customers to come in at a time to order for takeout. Like other businesses facing new restrictions, Rousseau is also relying heavily on online shoppers.
In an email to Huddle, a government spokesperson said businesses can remain open to in-person shopping at 25 percent capacity if they “…primarily or substantially provide consumer products essential to the life, health or personal safety of individuals and animals…”
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Morin said the rules can be confusing because a lot of shops sell a mixture of items – some which may be considered essential, and some that may not.
“I feel like there’s a lot of gray areas with the restrictions, in my case, because the business isn’t one or the other – it’s a combination of activities,” she said.
“We’re just doing our best to abide by the rules. But I can’t tell my customers they can only come in to buy coffee and a croissant, because most of my customers aren’t in just for that – they’re in for other things.”
Luckily, the Morin’s restaurant association was prepared to answer the myriad of questions their members had. Morin was relieved o know she wasn’t the only one trying to figure things out on the fly.
“They were very kind to let me know exactly what I was allowed to do. They told me, ‘you are not alone, there are dozens of businesses calling all the time trying to figure out what they are allowed to do.”
“So, you’re not alone in feeling confused.”
Like other small business owners across the city, Morin also faced the stressful task of laying off staff or reducing orders.
“Essentially, I didn’t need three people on in the front like I normally do on a daily basis, so I had to tell some people (to stay home),” recalled Morin.
It’s a lot for people to deal with in a short amount of time. You want to make decisions that are going to be good for your business, good for your staff, and good for everyone’s health and wellbeing.”
The first couple of days of the lockdown were particularly hectic for people like Morin. Rescheduling staff and adjusting to the new regulations were time-consuming and taxing.
“It took about 48 hours for us to figure it out and put some sort of a plan in place,” said Morin.
Rousseau Chocolatier is now relying on online sales to help stay afloat. But shops in Downtown Halifax rely heavily on in-person shoppers, so Morin said a lot of entrepreneurs in the area are concerned about the future of their businesses. There are legitimate fears of what will happen if the lockdown goes on longer than expected.
“Everyone’s just terrified of going out. Therefore, businesses that are brick-and-mortar, that do depend on walk-in people – there’s no chance they’ll be sustainable past another few months.”
Morin says the government can do more to help businesses survive the Covid-19 pandemic. She believes, when lockdowns are over, officials should be helping to promote locally owned businesses and encourage people to shop there.
“We understand the reasons behind lockdowns, but when things start to get better, they don’t advocate enough for us,” she said.