![Greater Moncton Businesses Endure "Groundhog Day" In 2021](https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/1920/files/2020/12/downtown-moncton-shops.jpg)
Shops in downtown Moncton. Image: Inda Intiar/Huddle
The CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton believes 2021 was much like the movie “Groundhog Day” for the business community.
John Wishart says the pandemic continues to be the biggest issue facing their members.
“Navigating support and trying to keep the doors open and trying to keep people safe has dominated the year. We’ve been trying to support our 800 members which included this year distributing close to a thousand rapid tests.”
Wishart says the Chamber has been explaining what the various measures mean for businesses.
He believes more clarity is needed surrounding the messaging from government and public health especially after new restrictions were unveiled this week.
“We started off with colour-coded public health measures and then we went to a circuit breaker and now we’re in Level 1, 2, 3. Just keeping track of what you should be doing and should not be doing at each stage is a challenge for a lot of business owners.”
In referencing the latest system being used, Wishart adds it appears we’re now at Level 1.5.
He adds it’s been a struggle for businesses who are just trying to keep people employed or sell a product.