‘We weren’t given any advance notice’: Liquor stores implement proof of vaccine at last minute

Implementing the Saskatchewan government’s proof-of-vaccination policy has been a stressful scramble for some businesses.

The provincial government told liquor stores Wednesday the policy would apply to them.

It was news that caught Randy Wilson, the owner of Urban Cellars, off guard.

“We weren’t given any advance notice … Not that we were blind-sided, but we weren’t given time to organize … I’m not an anti-vaxxer — we all have to get healthy — but the way it has been rolled out is, in my opinion, counterproductive,” he said.

Thursday was also a stat holiday, making things even more difficult.

Wilson had to hire security, train his staff and get signs printed in that short time.

“When the notice came out, if you didn’t read your email … you didn’t know. There was no dialogue. It just happened. So restaurants had a two-week advance notice. They could react (and) they could plan. Liquor stores, nothing,” he fumed.

It already has led to angry customers.

“We’ve already had one gentleman who got very, very upset, blaming us. (It’s) because he didn’t know (and) because there wasn’t proper notification — not even to us,” Wilson said.

He also believes the rules around which stores need to implement a vaccine passport are convoluted and inconsistent.

“If you read the pages, it’s sort of like reading Ikea instructions. I’m confused, and I’m in the industry,” he said.

He points out that, according to the government, “integrated liquor stores located in other retail stores” are exempt from the new rules.

That would mean liquor stores inside of retailers like Costco or Superstore are exempt.

Working in the liquor business, Wilson is used to denying service to customers who don’t have proper ID or who are already intoxicated. However, he would have liked the time to set up alternate ways of serving people who choose not to get the vaccine.

He pointed to those who struggle with alcohol addiction.

“There are some tragic souls that are dependent on liquor. If that person … let’s say he has made the decision not to get vaccinated. I think it’s the wrong decision, but let’s say he’s made that decision … Unless he’s vaccinated, he can’t come in,” he said.

Wilson would have tried to set up online delivery or express pickup if he’d had more notice.

He worries some alcoholics could go into withdrawal if they didn’t get their vaccine.

The provincial opposition is also criticizing the government’s implementation of the proof-of-vaccine system, and the snafu around liquor stores.

Aleana Young, the NDP critic for economy and jobs, told reporters Friday she’s not happy with the inconsistency of which businesses are affected.

“I would like to see consistency in terms of how this is applied. Whether it is between … speaking of liquor stores, off-sales and larger liquor retailers or even whether it’s between public and private sector employees,” she demanded.

She also believes vaccines should be mandatory for every staff member at all businesses that fall under the proof-of-vaccination rules.

“It’s a hole that you could drive a truck through within the public health order,” she said.