The first phase of the Alberta relaunch plan opened today, and many local businesses are looking at their options, as to whether they will open, or wait a little longer.
The first phase of the Open Soon plan began on Thursday, May 14. To prepare for this, Mayor Heather Colberg sat down with Marley Henneigh of the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce and local Health Inspector Keith Lee on the Drumheller Mail Facebook page for a live forum to help answer questions from local business on how and when they can open. Lee notes that most answers come from the province’s guide called Workplace Guidance for Business Owners.
“It is literally the bible for those wanting to reopen,” said Lee.
Black Mountain Roasters has remained open for take-out and delivery. Nathan Moore says he is planning to open when the province allows. This will mean 50 per cent capacity seating inside the coffee shop. Already with the changing weather, he says they are seeing more people getting take out rather than delivery, looking for an outing during this time of self-isolation.
What has been the most eye-opening for Moore during the pandemic response is how the people of Drumheller have responded, showing great community spirit and generosity.
Bruce Wade closed the family jewellery store when the province ordered, and are contemplating when they would be opening again. With the state of the economy and many people being off work, he is not sure how busy his shop would be. He says they will begin with limited hours when they open, and gauge it from there.
Manager of the Homestead Antique Museum Gilles Danis is busy painting and making changes to the local museum before it opens. He tells the Mail they are aiming for June 1 to open. In the meantime, they are working on making the museum more suitable to operate during the pandemic. This includes installing Plexiglas at the front counter and changing traffic flow in the hall to keep physical distancing between visitors,
“The pandemic has thrown us a curve, but it has given us an opportunity to do other stuff,” said Danis.
He is not sure how the tourism season will launch, noting there is a possibility they will be inundated with visitors wanting to get out after being isolated for so long, or if people might just stay home.
Lee says it is important for everyone to be cautious, methodical, and adhere to the guidelines.
“With these relaunch stages, let’s take it slow and easy…and really be reasonable, and if we are, we will get to Stage 2 in as short of time as we can,” he said. “If people don’t do what is being asked of them, both businesses as well as the patrons, to get to the next stage is going to take longer.”
The Workplace Guidance for Business Owners is available at www.alberta.ca/covid.
