A petition calling on the Ford government to allow small businesses in lockdown regions to reopen has more than 2,500 signatures.

The petition was launched Wednesday by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

Toronto and Peel were put into lockdown on Monday.

As part of that, non-essential retailers are limited to curbside pickup, indoor dining at restaurants is banned and personal care services are closed.

Grocery stores, pharmacies and big-box retailers remain open, with capacity limits.

The CFIB suggests the government could keep stores open and people safe by limiting the
number of staff and customers at any given time, and encouraging shoppers to pre-book their visits.

“Closing our local shops during the holiday season means thousands will not survive,” says the petition.

“Business owners and their families will lose their futures and many will lose their homes. Employees will lose their livelihoods. Our communities will lose their rich diversity.”

The CFIB represents more than 110,000 small and medium-sized companies.