With the UCP government’s restrictions exemption program now underway, calls for changes to its enforcement provisions have been widespread, including in this district.
It is currently left up to business owners to ask potential clients to provide government-issued proof of immunization or a privately paid COVID-19 test from the previous 72 hours. Those customers not prepared to comply with the request are supposed to be refused service.
Whether the program will lead to a much-need reduction in COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations remains to be seen. What is known is that placing the burden of regulating the program on the business community is unfair and unreasonable.
Why should a restaurant, for example, have to turn away customers at a time when the financial pressures created by the pandemic have made business hard to come by, threatening the livelihood of employers and employees alike?
Would it be reasonable to make parents responsible for enforcing playground speeding laws? Would it make any sense to require air travellers to be responsible for airport and aircraft security?
As one area restaurant owner says, the UCP government’s decision to put the onus on owners to police the exemption program is cowardly and bad for business.
Residents across the province have made huge sacrifices during the pandemic when it comes social gatherings, employment, health care and many other areas of daily life.
Now the UCP government has decided to add to that burden by passing the buck to business owners, causing unnecessary divisions and hardships in the community.
With all of its many missteps during the pandemic, including failing so far to meet the challenges of the deadly fourth wave that is sweeping across Alberta, it’s high time for the UCP government to start showing reasonable leadership.
For example, immediate changes should be made to the restrictions exemption program, placing the job of enforcement solely on government-funded health inspectors – and leaving business owners to get on with the difficult job of making a living.
Dan Singleton is an editor with The Albertan.
