With COVID-19 cases increasing at an alarming rate, our leaders face a difficult balancing act. The challenge for us is to chart a path forward that protects the health and safety of Canadians and their economic well-being at the same time.
“The Surrey Board of Trade has been advocating for region-specific solutions for different parts of BC and Canada but a national strategy for COVID management is also urgently needed,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. “The Surrey Board of Trade joins the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in their call to implement a plan to replace Canada’s current patchwork approach of reacting to daily numbers. It is neither socially nor economically sustainable to rely heavily on rotating lockdowns while we wait for an effective vaccine to be widely administered in the coming year.”
A coherent national strategy must include all three levels of government working together as partners, collaboratively addressing these six key components:
Data-driven, science-based policies to limit the spread of the virus
Significant, widespread rapid testing and contact tracing
Open, transparent communications and consistent messaging
Tailored support for the hardest hit economically
A well-designed, well-organized and well-communicated plan for vaccine administration
A holistic approach to evaluating the costs and benefits of actions to control the disease
“There is tremendous confusion nationally. Some common policies, joint coordination and messaging would alleviate that confusion. This will become even more important once vaccines begin to roll out.”
Show your support by signing the petition letting the government know we need a national strategy to control the pandemic.
PETITION: https://www.nationalstrategy.ca/support-the-plan
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Anita Huberman, 604-634-0342, anita@businessinsurrey.com