Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin reported at Monday's council meeting on a recent Zoom meeting between Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini and the Downtown Business Improvement Area board.
It was an opportunity to discuss the lockdown and associated issues, primarily why big-box stores can keep their entire premises open while smaller stores are limited to curbside pick-up only.
“I whole-heartedly agreed with them,” Seguin stated.
She has been asking around about what the capacity of Walmart is in terms of permitted shoppers on the premises, now that it's cut back to 25% capacity. She cannot find someone with the answer.
“People are not only buying groceries and drug-store products, but anything available in the store,” Seguin said.
“Carts are full with household items our local stores are not allowed to sell.
“Let's hope if small independent local stores have to close, then all stores except for essential services have to close.”