The City of Lloydminster will be following the Saskatchewan government’s plan to re-open businesses.
Businesses will be re-opening in phases with the first being medical services like dentistry, optometry and chiropractic services on May 4. The Lloydminster Golf and Curling Club will open on May 15 under certain conditions. On June 1st, campgrounds including Weaver Park Campground will re-open.
In phase two, retail services such as clothing stores and boat, ATV and snowmobile dealerships will be allowed to open their doors on May 19. On the same day, personal care services such as hairdressers, barbers and massage therapy businesses will also be allowed to take in customers again. In both phases, public and private gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 10 people.
“The phased Reopening plan put forth by the Government of Saskatchewan will help relieve some of the economic burden COVID-19 has placed on our local business community and will responsibly restore access to several important personal services,” Emergency Measures Operations Manager Jordan Newton says.
All proprietors and staff must follow the provincial guidelines for protective and preventative measures, use appropriate PPE, provide thorough cleaning of their facilities and maintain physical distancing.
“We applaud the patience and cooperation of our residents and businesses who have done their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 to this point. We look forward to further restoration of amenities and services in our community safely,” Mayor Gerald Aalbers says.
“Social distancing is something we are going to be hearing for the foreseeable future. We need to continue to be vigilant in ensuring our hand-washing and I think it’s important that we maintain those groups of less than 10.”
Phases three through five have no date associated with them yet. Those phases will be implemented by the provincial government depending on the success of the previous phases. Saskatchewan Health Services will be monitoring COVID-19 cases in each phase and determine if more restrictions can be lifted or put back in place.
Aalbers says the plans are tentative and could change if there is an increase in cases in the community.
“If the numbers start to spike in Saskatchewan before May 4 this plan will change from our perspective and the province of Saskatchewan. Again, it is all hinged on things that we’re seeing today continue on.”
He says it is up to residents to keeping case numbers low by following the health precautions.
“We will find a new norm and I don’t know what that new norm is. It will be determined by the consumers and businesses as they come back and if they feel they can adequately and safely provide their goods and services to customers.”