The Stoney Creek Chamber of Commerce’s executive director Patti Hall says it’s up to all levels of government and even the community to come to the rescue of local businesses, especially restaurants and bars during this unprecedented environment.

“They will definitely be affected” by the provincial government’s mandate to close all restaurants and bars in its fight to slow down the novel coronavirus spread, said Hall.

Hall said, a lot of businesses took the responsible approach and shut their doors prior to the province declaring the virus an emergency March 17. Even though these businesses can still offer pick-up and delivery, their finances will still take a hit and they may have to lay off employees, she said.

Tony Elenis, president and chief executive officer of the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association, said his organization has offered both the provincial and federal governments proposals to assist small businesses.

“Beside the airlines, we are the most affected” said Elenis. “This is a catastrophe. It’s an unprecedented time.”

Elenis said small businesses, such as restaurants and bars, are looking at direct measures from the federal government that will provide them with cash relief, such as temporary cash exemptions, administrative relief on tax filing deadlines and penalties and wage subsidies for businesses to retail staff.

“Small businesses are in a cash-flow industry,” he said.

He said restaurants and bars that can still operate a pick-up and delivery while good for a short-term benefit, isn’t sustainable over the longer term.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s president Dan Kelly revealed in a recent survey that a quarter of small firms will not be able to survive for more than a month with a decline in income of more than 50 per cent.

The survey also stated that 43 per cent of respondents reduced staff hours and 20 per cent have temporarily laid off employees.

Tom Ngo, co-owner of Banana Leaf, told the Stoney Creek News, business is “very, very slow because of the coronavirus spread. It’s been terrible.”

The restaurant can accept pickup orders and delivery within Stoney Creek.

Most of the restaurants along King Street in downtown Stoney Creek are closed, including the Tim Hortons, with a few offering delivery services.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said recently that while he wants to support local businesses as much as possible, the bulk of any financial assistance will come from the provincial and federal governments.

“I think that would be a difficult issue for the municipality to deal with,” he said. “It’s more in keeping with what the federal and provincial governments are prepared to put on the table. We will continue to work with them.”

He recently revealed his sister-in-law had to close down her business Beanermunky Chocolate in Dundas on March 18.

“These are drastically difficult times for small businesses,” said Eisenberger.

“Eight-two billion dollars sounds staggering, but I would think there is probably more help on the way. Hopefully it will stem the tide.”

Hall is encouraging residents if they can to buy gift certificates to support local restaurants and bars.

The Stoney Creek Chamber has been on social media offering support and sharing as much information as possible with its members and the community on what governments are doing, said Hall.

She said the chamber’s downtown office is closed to the public, but it is still in operation to field calls about any questions individuals may have.

“It’s imperative we keep on top of what is happening,” she said.