Area business leaders are disappointed by new COVID-19 restrictions announced Sunday, but most are not surprised.
“A measure like this had to be taken with the rise in cases,” Arthur Havlicek, president and CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, said Monday. “It’s always going to be a little bit of good and a little bit of bad. I’m pleased that it’s better than we saw earlier this year, but my heart goes out to our local establishments that this might be the final nail in the coffin.”
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