New surveys show COVID-19’s impact on local workers and businesses

To The Haldimand Press

HALDIMAND—More than 40% of Grand Erie region’s residents have lost work due to the COVID-19 crisis, a new survey shows, while a second survey shows the majority of responding businesses in Haldimand have lost most, if not all, of their revenue.

The Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie’s COVID-19 Worker Impact Survey of 450 people found that 37% are temporarily not working, while another 5% have permanently lost work.

The biggest impact has been on people in the sectors of accommodation and food services, retail and wholesale trade, and education. Youth (ages of 18-24) working part time in the retail and food sectors appear particularly hard hit. One in three respondents said they were worried about having enough food and paying their rent, mortgage, and monthly bills.