The continued spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Canada and around the world has understandably raised concerns for you and your families. For Arctic Bay, the well-being of our incredible employees and our valued customers is of the deepest concern to us. We want you to know that your safety will remain our top priority as this situation continues to evolve.
Please know that we are continuing to monitor the situation closely and are following the latest guidance from local, provincial and federal health authorities, including the
Public Health Agency of Canada, to ensure that our practices are aligned with the latest recommendations.
The Current Coronavirus and Canada
As of writing this article, sources show a total of 206,318 cases of the coronavirus named COVID-19 that has been on seemingly every headline of every publication for the past weeks. Approximately 80,894 of these cases come from China, where the initial reports of its spread originated. As of now, there have been 8,272 reported deaths relating to the virus across the world, with an optimistic 82,889 recoveries. As this situation develops, we at Arctic Bay join Canada and the whole world in remaining hopeful and vigilant in the face of such a daunting international issue.
So what is changing as COVID-19 impacts Canada?
Covid-19 Economic Impact
Globally, the economy seems to be in shock. As Chinese factories remain closed, small or big businesses continue to run out of inventory following the coronavirus outbreak. There is a lot of hope that as thousands continue to recover, these supply chains will soon reopen, revitalizing the market. Once production can finally restart for most regions, the first priority will be getting larger companies back to business. However, it could take weeks or even months for many smaller organizations to get their goods, according to The Wall Street Journal.
So when looking at how this ripple effect is impacting all industries, from travel to toilet paper, we have to ask ourselves how to handle these dramatic shifts as a community and as an organization that provides an important resource. How is the supply chain for Arctic Bay being impacted by coronavirus?
The short answer is- we are evolving with the situation. Because we are experts in winter outerwear and not predicting global pandemics, we leave those projections to the experts. However, we know that as the situation adapts, we will continue to provide the optimal experience for our staff and for our customers.
One of the many advantages of being a Canadian made product is that we get to control production and distribution from right at home.
Candian Made with Supplies from the USA
One of the things that make Arctic Bay winter jackets and outerwear one of the best in the industry is the focus we put on the quality of our products from start to finish. So even in the midst of such drastic circumstances, our business can continue to provide economic stability to our staff and our community.
That is another reason we craft our winter gear with materials and fabrics made in the USA. The furs we utilizing for additional protection and trimming are also locally sourced, like our premiere coyote fur from Alberta, Canada. Each jacket is made with quality Canadian duck down, and all of our items are made with care and commitment in our Winnipeg factory.
In other words, we have always stayed away from outsourcing our materials and production to China and other regions. So even while supply lines and some large firms struggle through this period, Arctic Bay remains strong and continues to produce the best parkas made in Canada, with a domestic label and the very best suppliers in Canada and the United States. This means no sweatshops with unhealthy or unsafe conditions, no inferior quality materials, and a better experience for consumers.
For Canada, there have now been 598 total cases of the illness on record, and only 8 deaths. Luckily, the Canadian community is holding strong in the face of these issues. A statement from Premier Doug Ford's office says a new bill could soon direct employers to offer protected leave for people affected by the pandemic, while also waiving requirements for employees to get sick notes if they are going to self-isolation or care for anyone in quarantine.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Marc Garneau's office has asserted no Canadian airports will be closed to domestic flights. However, some international flights will be diverted to certain airports.
As the situation evolves and the international community works together to help raise the recovery rates, we at Arctic Bay are committed to ensuring our materials, our production and our premiere products are given the very best considerations to best serve our customers.