Work is underway on the next phase of the plan to re-open the provincial economy. The target date to begin Phase 3 of Re-Open Saskatchewan is June 8, 2020.
Juanita Polegi, executive director of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce said it is good to have a date set for Phase 3, although the date is not a preferred one.
“An earlier opening date would have been preferred,” she said. “Our business community has been working very hard to secure the necessary equipment and supplies needed in order to re-open. Every day these businesses are closed is another day of difficulty for them.”
The next step is for customers to return, added Polegi.
“The Chamber urges the community to patronize the local businesses as they employ our friends and families and contribute to a variety of community organizations, sports teams and cultural events,” she said.
Polegi added the Chamber also “looks forward to announcements concerning Phases 4 and 5.
Phase 2 of the plan began this week. In Phase 3, restaurants and licensed establishments will be able to open at 50 per cent capacity. Gyms and fitness facilities will also be able to open for business, as will childcare facilities and places of worship – subject to guidelines that are being developed. Personal service businesses that did not open in Phase 2 are also allowed to begin providing services.
This includes:
• Estheticians;
• Tattoo artists;
• Make-up applicators;
• Electrologists;
• Manicurists;
• Pedicurists;
• Sun tanning parlours;
• Facilities in which body piercing, bone grafting or scarification services are provided; and
• Other personal service facilities.
As restrictions on businesses and services are gradually lifted in the province, additional information continues to be added to the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan based on direction from public health officials and input from businesses and service providers.
Changes to the plan this week focus on Phase 3 and include information on restaurants and licensed establishments, gyms and fitness facilities and places of worship. The size of indoor public and private gatherings will increase to 15 people in Phase 3, while the size of outdoor gatherings will increase to 30.
Guidelines are currently being developed for restaurants and licensed establishments, and gyms and fitness facilities. They will be included in the updated plan, which will be available at www.saskatchewan.ca/re-open on Friday.
Guidelines for the safe re-opening of places of worship will be developed in consultation with faith leaders. Further information will be added to these guidelines and others will be developed as the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan continues to be updated to allow business operators and service providers to prepare to re-open.
All businesses that are eligible to re-open must follow the guidelines in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan and the current public health order. However, businesses are not required to open at this time and can determine when they are ready to open and operate in a safe manner.
SARCAN is also preparing to resume its recycling operations in the near future. Beginning June 8, commercial and bulk customers will be able to bring in their recycling by appointment only. SARCAN will open to the general public on June 15.
Find the most up-to-date version of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan at www.saskatchewan.ca/re-open.
