Two Sault councillors to introduce resolution urging Ford to reopen gyms, hair salons

Amid speculation Wednesday that Premier Doug Ford may act faster than expected to move into Step 2 of the province's re-opening plan, two Sault Ste. Marie councillors are pushing for much quicker relief for gyms and personal service establishments.

Ward 3 Coun. Donna Hilsinger announced on social media that she and Ward 5 Coun. Matthew Scott will introduce the following resolution at the next City Council meeting on June 28:

Whereas the Province of Ontario has vaccinated over 64 per cent of residents 18-plus with their first dose and over 17 per cent with their second dose; and

Whereas over 75 per cent of Algoma’s population over the age of 18 has received at least their first vaccination and over 18 per cent have received their second; and

Whereas Covid-19 cases in the Algoma region are at 0.9 per 100,000; and

Whereas the Province of Ontario has entered Step 1 of the reopening plan on June 11, 2021, ahead of schedule due to strong provincial vaccination numbers, reduced ICU cases and reduced COVID-19 infections; and

Whereas personal service businesses such as hair salons, nail salons and tattoo shops have implemented strict COVID-19 safety precautions as part of the province’s previous re-opening plan to ensure the safety of their staff and customers; and

Whereas personal service businesses have most recently been closed since April 3, 2021 and owners and staff have suffered greatly throughout the pandemic; and

Therefore be it resolved that Sault Ste. Marie City Council request that the Province of Ontario consider allowing personal services businesses and gyms to a maximum of 10 people or as deemed appropriate to re-open as soon as possible as part of Step 1 with strict limited capacities.

"The challenges these businesses are having are incredibly difficult," Hilsinger said in a Wednesday-afternoon Facebook post.

Meanwhile, media outlets were quoting unnamed sources as saying that Premier Ford is preparing to move Ontario into Step 2 next Wednesday, June 30.

But Hilsinger and Scott want Ford to do better than that for hard-hit owners of gyms, spas and hair salons.

Under Step 2, personal services business will be allowed to open at 25 per cent capacity to maximum of just five people, while indoor gyms will still be closed.