Local Chamber calls for accelerated vaccine rollout amid stay-at-home order

With a stay-at-home order from the province beginning overnight, the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce issued a joint statement with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on the importance of the vaccination rollout when it comes to helping local businesses.

Following is a full release from the Sault Chamber:

Today, Rory Ring, CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce, and Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce released the following statement in reaction to further restrictions announced today:

“Ultimately, we want to see a safe and sustainable opening of Ontario’s economy. Closures buy us time, but at a high cost to business, our economy, as well as the mental and the long-term health of Ontarians. We recognize the restrictions brought in today are to help save lives and curtail the spread of the virus. However, in absence of further supports, new restrictions will simply devastate Ontario’s business community.

“An expedited vaccine roll-out prioritizing essential workers who cannot work from home is critical to preventing these stops and starts that are so damaging for business. With the Ontario Business Support Grant coming to a close, we call for continued supports that will see businesses through the third wave of the crisis.” – Rory Ring, CEO, Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.

“We call on all levels of government to work together to accelerate vaccinating Ontarians, so we can fully reopen the province. As the Government of Ontario proceeds with Phase 2 of the rollout, we would like to see the earlier prioritization of essential workers who cannot work from home and are most vulnerable and at risk.

“The Ontario Chamber’s Ontario Vaccination Support Council members are ready, willing, and able to support and accelerate local vaccine deployment efforts. As supply ramps up, we need an all-hands-on deck approach from Ontario’s business community, labour, associations and academia to move these vaccines from freezers to arms as quickly as possible. From vaccine facilities and centres to volunteers to donations to support ride programs, we truly see Council members stepping up to make a difference.” – Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

“The Algoma Vaccination Support Council (AVSC) was recently established by The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce (SSMCOC) and the STRIVE Young Professionals Group. The working group is comprised of local businesses, organizations, and community stakeholders, and has identified the goal of increasing vaccination literacy, information dissemination about local vaccination efforts, and providing support wherever possible, such as food and beverages for vaccination clinic staff and volunteers as well as transportation for those unable to secure transportation to those vaccination clinics. The Council believes that there is a significant role for the business community to play in ensuring that timely and accurate public health information reaches Sault Ste. Marie workers and their families, as well as customers, clients and local citizens.” – Rory Ring, CEO, Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce