Belleville is looking ahead to opening up after the COVID-19 restrictions but the mayor says it will be “with care.”
On Monday, city council met electronically for the very first time, with only Mayor Mitch Panciuk and a city staff member in the city hall venue.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk says the city is planning for the day the province relaxes some of the emergency restrictions and he bases that on “statistical evidence.”
Panciuk says it depends a great deal on virus testing.
He adds, “Some businesses might not be back again … it’s been a destructive process. Those who recover will recall their employees and increase their workforce. Every year some businesses don’t survive, but most come back.”
Panciuk also noted,” There’ll be a huge demand on the part of consumers in our region, consumers across the country and the world. We’ll see a surge. We’re ready for it when it happens.”
He points to the $200,000 given to the Bay of Quinte Marketing Board to kick start the local tourism economy once the opening happens.
He says, “The city is ready to go. And when the door opens after the restrictions we expect a huge demand on the part of consumers. But, it won’t be tomorrow.”
The mayor also pointed out that the city’s Economic Deveopment department has a list of 750 people, potential employees, that businesses may use when seeking new employees after the restrictons are lifted.
