Businesses in downtown Fredericton are discouraged and disappointed with the planned COVID-19 protest to be held over the next two days, that according to the President of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.
Krista Ross says the last two years have been very difficult for small businesses, “They’ve had a tremendously challenging time and anything that might disrupt the flow of customers is really bad for business.”
Ross says the businesses she has spoken to are planning to stay open throughout the protest and they are hopeful that customers will continue to support them during this time.
She adds, “Businesses are hopeful that the majority of people will choose to support the business community and choose to support those businesses at this time.”
She says most businesses they have spoken to feel the province, the City and the police department are being supportive, “We’ve been directly in touch with our Chief of Police and they are making plans that will hopefully protect our businesses and protect our downtown.”
Protesters began gathering in the downtown on foot on Friday afternoon, while convoys of trucks and other vehicles converged on the City.
Fredericton Police closed a section of Queen Street and were only allowing vehicles in that had a reason for being in the downtown.
