Skip to content

Opinion: COVID-19 has Burnaby businesses on life support. Let’s change that

The term “social distancing” has suddenly replaced “cancel culture” as the hot new phrase out there in the big, bad world. The problem is too many people are taking “social distancing” to the extreme. Not shaking hands is good.
Crystal Mall Food Court
Empty: The Crystal Mall food court in Burnaby has seen an 80% decrease in customers since rumours regarding the novel coronavirus spread online.

The term “social distancing” has suddenly replaced “cancel culture” as the hot new phrase out there in the big, bad world.

The problem is too many people are taking “social distancing” to the extreme. Not shaking hands is good. Staying out of large crowds is also good.

Hiding in your home? Not so good.

Keeping your distance still means going out and living your life. Sure, perhaps you might work from as a precaution, but you still need to balance living a full life.

Being out and about in Burnaby isn’t inherently dangerous. B.C. health officials continually tell us that the risk of getting COVID-19 is extremely low.

One major problem from people barricading themselves as home is some Burnaby businesses are now on life support. This is especially true with small businesses. Sure, the Costcos and grocery stores are lined up with panicked people hoarding toilet paper.

But it’s the smaller places that are truly suffering. You’ve likely read our coverage of Burnaby’s Crystal Mall hurting bad as customers abandon shopping there due to false virus rumours.

Many other small businesses are suffering as customers stay away. That hurts owners and it hurts staff who either get laid off or see their tips take a dive.

And it’s so unnecessary because, as B.C. health officials say, being out in public isn’t inherently dangerous or risky.

Just make sure to wash your hands and stop touching your damn face. OK, that last one is hard, I admit.

The federal government’s announcement that it is going to waive the one-week waiting period for employment insurance (EI) may help some restaurant employees, but will do little to save Burnaby’s restaurant industry and many other Metro Vancouver eateries.

That’s the assertion of James Liu, owner of the Marine Bay Restaurant on Alexandra Road, who said Asian eateries are going under at an alarming rate.

In recent weeks, not only have restaurants seen a drop in business, many are closing up shop completely.

At Richmond’s Empire Centre, an Asian shopping strip mall located close to Aberdeen Station, numerous shops are closed, often citing renovations as the cause.

Liu said that while it’s good employees won’t have to wait a week before getting EI benefits, most employees don’t want to be on EI in the first place; they would rather work.

But they can only work if the restaurants stay open, and that can only happen if they get a tax break from all levels of government.

“Taxes have always been a burden for us; especially now many owners can’t afford the skyrocketing property tax as our businesses are struggling. If the federal government could eliminate some taxes, this could help a business survive longer.”

Earlier this week, the U.K. announced it would temporarily abolish business tax rates for thousands of small retail, leisure and hospitality companies for the year, noting that those industries are being hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is looking at plans to offset the economic impacts of the coronavirus with various measures including tax relief, loan guarantees, reimbursing workers for lost pay, and aid to small and mid-sized businesses.

William Tse, director of the Canada Catering Association, a non-profit organization that represents 200 Chinese restaurants in B.C., said he has been bombarded by phone calls every day.

“Chefs and waitresses are desperate for job opportunities, and owners have told me their businesses can’t continue anymore,” Tse lamented.

“I’ve tried to encourage owners to stick it to the end before giving up, but they break down and ask me how to pay rent and labour costs without making enough profit?”

Here are 8 easy ways you can help your local restaurants and food businesses during the COVID-19 crisis:

1. Continue showing up and dining in

If the business is open and you are not isolated due to potential infection, and you feel safe, and can afford it, by all means, dine out. Know that restaurants are following health authority protocols for cleaning and are likely increasing their cleaning. Ensure you are seated within a safe distance of other customers. Order dessert. Order drinks. Tip generously, if you can. Start with your neighbourhood restaurants, and familiar spots where you are most comfortable. Be loyal!

2. Order take out via online platforms or directly from the restaurant

Pick up lunch or dinner for yourself - or why not also grab a meal for an isolated neighbour or relative. There are numerous online ordering platforms that are in full operation, as well as there is the option with several establishments to order directly from them by phone or web. 

3. Ask if your favourite restaurants or food vendors are able to do anything different to make it easier for you to support them

Give them a call and see if they are willing to send an employee out to the parking lot to meet you. If they don't typically offer take out or delivery, find out if they are able to do so now. If the restaurant doesn't take orders via phone or email but still offer take-out (and yes, there are a few!) contact them to see if they are willing to suspend that policy for now. 

4. Tip generously

Restaurant employees are often part time, and many depend on tips. These workers are continuing to show up to work in the service industry. They are doing extra cleaning work and they do not have the option to work from home. 

5. Purchase gift certificates

Spend now, come back when we've "flattened the curve" of COVID-19. 

6. Skip the big box grocery store and purchase food products from local vendors, cafes, and sellers

If you can afford to, get your coffee beans from your neighbourhood cafe. Pop into a specialty store to get locally-made sauces, jams, flour, pasta, breads, and so on. Contact your favourite local indie food makers and vendors to see if they offer pick-up or have just made a delivery at a local shop. 

7. Honour your reservations, or cancel them at least 24 hours in advance

This is not the time to be indecisive or a stereotypical flaky Vancouverite. If you have a table reserved, a restaurant has ordered food and put staff on the schedule to accomodate you, whether you're a table of two or a table of eight. Go as planned, or reach out to reschedule or cancel at least 24 hours in advance. 

8. Engage on social media and keep in touch

Keep sharing photos from your restaurant visits, current or past. Comment on the photos of your favourite bars, cafes, and eateries. Re-share messages that talk about ways to support restaurants or special promotions. Sign up for restaurants' digital newsletters. Look for special menus or promos, too.

  • With files from Lindsay William-Ross of Vancouver is Awesome (read the original story here) and Nono Shen, Richmond News (read the original story here).

Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.