Ukrainian Co-op, other Regina businesses implementing forms of mask policies

The Ukrainian Co-op and other businesses in Regina are beginning to enact their own policies when it comes to customers wearing masks.

Mandatory mask-wearing hasn’t been implemented by the province during the COVID-19 crisis, but some businesses have made their own policy.

Ukrainian Co-op general manager Carin Rodgers said the store had a mandatory mask policy when the pandemic was first getting underway but has since walked back that restriction.

“We have a very small store so physical distancing can be hard when there’s a few people in the store. At our front door we are still having hand sanitizing done and giving out free masks to anyone who comes into the store to shop and strongly recommending it because we can’t physically distance,” Rodgers said.

She said handing out masks can be costly but it’s worth it to keep people safe.

The store is also giving people an incentive to wear a mask, offering 10 per cent off to customers who don the face-wear.

“I think if you’re asking people to consider other people and put that extra effort forward, you have to offer them a thank you and that you appreciate what they’re doing,” Rodgers said.

She said about 99 per cent of customers are OK with wearing the masks but there’s the odd customer who makes a big deal about it.

“We don’t throw them out of the store or make a big deal about the fact they don’t want to wear one. You have to leave a bit of a personal choice,” Rodgers said.

But if the cases in Regina start to spike, Rodgers said she’d have no issue bringing back her mandatory mask policy.

“Our main concern is the health and welfare of everybody who’s shopping in here,” Rodgers said.

Customers at the Northgate Mall offered their thoughts on stores requiring people to wear masks.

“When I go into different store where (masks) are not mandatory, I’m much more nervous and I might turn away from the store if it’s busy,” one shopper said.

Tracy Logel said she has noticed more people have been wearing masks when out.

“I think people are taking it more seriously because some people were like, ‘Oh, it’s a fly-by-night thing and it’s not going to last too long,’ but I think people are more aware,” Logel said.

Rodgers said people need to work together to keep the COVID-19 case numbers down.

“There are businesses out there that are asking you to or requiring you to wear a mask. Please don’t be rude to the employees or the people asking you to put them on because they’re only doing what they feel is right to keep everybody safe,” Rodgers said.