Businesses, services ‘relieved’ to be getting back at it following Re-Open Saskatchewan announcement

Local retail stores can now look ahead to the spring and summer shopping season with more optimism as they can begin reopening their doors to customers by May 19.

Brian Sampson owns Sunshine and Ski Track and Trail in Regina and, as an independent retailer selling seasonal sporting goods, shoes, clothing and patio furniture, he was very relieved to see the list of businesses allowed to open in Phase 2 of the provincial plan.

“I can tell you that reinventing (the business) after 42 years has been probably the hardest I’ve worked in a long time, but the customers have been ridiculously supportive, they’ve really bought in to shop local and it’s tremendous,” Sampson said Thursday.

Sampson said many local retailers like him have learned how to implement safe social distancing measures and will continue to operate under a new normal.

“I think that we’ve learned a lot in a month and a half and I think (measures) will be respected,” he said. “I think it was difficult for us to get into this mode, but I think moving forward we will move forward properly and safely and be very conscientious.”

While the family business was able to move to online orders, curbside pickup and delivery, he admitted the business has taken a huge hit with about 10 or 12 per cent of normal sales.

He was budgeting to account for that new normal to last until September, but now has more hope for the summer season, especially with news that provincial parks, campgrounds and boat launches are also allowed to open in Phase 1 starting May 4.

Dental hygienists respond to plan

People who had their dentist appointments put on hold or cancelled in mid-March can start adding them to their calendars again as early as May 4.

Dental services are listed as one of the first services allowed to reopen under the provincial plan.

Catherine Folkersen is the CEO and registrar of the Saskatchewan Dental Hygienists Association (SDHA) and said even with an announcement to reopen, safety plans will be paramount.

“Dental clinics follow infection prevention control procedures normally,” Folkersen said. “That being said, return to work is not going to look like business as usual in the pre-COVID days. There are going to be many things that clients will notice have changed.”

Folkersen said dentists and dental hygienists will have to work together to ensure they follow even more stringent protocols around infection control including ensuring they all have access to the right personal protective equipment (PPE).

Some dental work involves “aerosolizing procedures,” or electric dental tools that create a spray which poses more of a risk of spreading the virus. In the event that those procedures can’t be managed safely, Folkersen said hygienists may have to use manual scaling tools to clean teeth instead.

The SDHA is recommending clients be prescreened for COVID-19 before coming into a dental office and that they follow proper social distancing measures in waiting rooms.

The College of Dental Surgeons, which represents dentists across the province, did not respond to 980 CJME’s request for comment as of Thursday evening.

Golf is adjusting to meet provincial guidelines

The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan allows golf courses to open on May 15 but it’s far from business as usual.

“There’s no walk-ons, there’s no practice facilities — it’s very barebones,” Riverside Country Club executive director Robert Klombies said. “It’s essentially you come in with your clubs, you carry your clubs, you golf, you make sure that who you’re golfing with you’re safely apart and when you come back in, you put your clubs in the car and you go.”

The plan announced on Thursday includes changes to cleaning, signage, golf cart rentals and facilities.

To be ready for the May 15 opening date, Klombies told 650 CKOM club officials are training staff.

“Every time you touch something you’re responsible for ensuring the sanitizing in terms of maintenance or greens equipment,” he explained. “Everything is very specific and targeted.”

While time spent on the course will look different, Klombies believes it will be a nice change of pace.

“We understand exactly why (the restrictions) are in place and we support it 100 per cent. We’re just kind of happy to be in a position to go on long walks with a ball and some sticks,” Klombies explained.

He said the course in Corman Park typically would open in early May so this likely only changes the season by about a week.