OLDS - The region’s economy continues to relaunch from the COVID-19 shutdown after the provincial government gave the go-ahead for many businesses to partially reopen for walk-ins for the first time last week since closures were ordered in March.
With heightened infection prevention and control measures to minimize the risk of increased transmission of infections, some businesses and facilities were permitted by the provincial government to resume operations on May 14 in all areas except the cities of Calgary and Brooks in the first of the three-phase relaunch.
Retail businesses, farmers’ market vendors, hair salons and barber shops have been allowed to open their doors in most of the province, while cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars have been allowed to reopen at 50 per cent capacity.
Museums and art galleries can reopen, day cares and day camps can reopen with occupancy limits, and restrictions are easing on places of worship and funeral services as long as they follow the province’s sector-specific guidelines.
Barley’s Pub in Carstairs has been closed since end of day on March 16.
May 19 marks “The day we got Barley’s back” announced its owner when heralding today’s dine-in reopening.
The dine-in area at Centre Street Pizza Carstairs was also expected to reopen on May 19. Patrons area asked to make resevations to mitigate risk.
“We’re back!," Jensen’s Men’s Wear owners Mike and Lindsay Fix announced the day before their May 14 reopening.
Clothing retailers like Jensen’s, its next door neighbour Gotcha Jeans and Bear’s Den in Sundre opened on Day 1 of the first phase of relaunch.
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So did gift and jewelery stores in the area including George T. Ingham and Son Jewellers Ltd. in Innisfail.
NuLook Hair Salon in Olds and Didsbury’s House of Hair were among the many hairdressers to also reopen their shops on May 14.
While Mr. Mikes in Olds was among some area restaurants to reopen dining on that day, others are taking a wait-and-see approach.
Alex Galanis, owner of Grouchy Daddy’s in Olds is one of them. The restaurant won’t be reopening for dine-in anytime soon.
“Some might say I’m worrying too much, but if we can’t go to the hardware store to buy a can of paint without a sheet of plastic between the cashier and myself, and without the debit machine being wrapped in a new piece of plastic wrap after every use, I just don’t feel that it’s the right time to put our service staff tableside picking up your used cutlery, cups, plates, etc.,” Galanis said in his announcement detailing why he won’t be reopening dine-in service right away.
As of May 15, there were 1,131 active COVID-19 cases in the province out of a total of 6,457 confirmed cases.
Outbreaks in Calgary and Brooks have delayed certain business reopenings in those communities until May 25 and June 1.
The Didsbury area has had four active cases with all four recovered. The Olds area has had three cases — one still active and two recovered.
The Sundre area has had one case that is now recovered.
The Innisfail area has had one case listed as revovered.
Progression to Stage 2 of the economic relaunch will be determined by the success of Stage 1, considering health-care system capacity, hospitalization and intensive care unit cases, and infection rates.
Stage 3 could see the potential opening of K-12 schools, with restrictions, as well as libraries, also with restrictions, and more surgeries scheduled, including backlog elimination.
Services offered by some allied health disciplines like acupuncture and massage therapy would also be considered.
