Businesses welcome expanded reopening, focus on safety measures

Though the next stage of Alberta’s COVID-19 relaunch takes effect later this week, some Calgary businesses are opting for a more gradual approach to easing restrictions.

At Inglewood’s popular Cold Garden Beverage Co., co-owner Dan Allard said not much will change when Stage 2 of Alberta’s economic relaunch begins Friday.

“Our restriction is how comfortable our staff are with table service and, as a brewery, we did a full reversal. We used to do full bar orders and now the only service you’re allowed to do is table service,” Allard said. “It was important for us to make sure that not only were tables distanced, but that the number (of patrons) remains manageable.”

Allard said even though Stage 2 of Alberta’s relaunch will lift the cap on the number of people allowed in a restaurant or bar, his brewery will initially continue operating at 25-per-cent capacity, gradually increasing the number while checking back with staff to make sure they’re still comfortable.

While some businesses are allowed more patrons in Stage 2, a long list of others will be able to reopen completely. Among those are wellness services such as massage and acupuncture, personal services such as esthetics, and pedicures, gyms, recreation centres and movie theatres.

The expansive relaxing of restrictions could help bolster business in the Beltline, according to Esther Kelly, executive director of the 17th Avenue Retail & Entertainment District Business Improvement Area.

“A lot of our patrons are going to be very excited to be able to come out and enjoy their favourite spots on the (avenue),” Kelly said. “We know that people are going to come out, be safe and enjoy the summer.”

However, Kelly said businesses are continuing to make use of personal protective equipment and facilitate social distancing, something she said will be a part of a night out for the foreseeable future.

“Until there’s a vaccine, I don’t think we’re going to be completely back to normal, but I think people have embraced a new normal,” she said. “(Businesses on 17th Avenue) are really trying to ensure that the public is safe, that they can enjoy themselves, while really understanding and accepting the fact that during COVID they will have to have these added safety measures.”

Casinos and bingo halls are also able to reopen in Stage 2 but, according to Marion Sutherland, manager of Five Star Bingo & Pub, Calgary’s four bingo halls have agreed to delay their reopening until July 1.

“We want to make sure that nobody is rushing things,” Sutherland said. “We’re going to follow every direction that we’ve been given to make sure that our staff, our volunteers and our patrons are safe.”

Sutherland said Five Star Bingo has reduced its capacity from 450 people to 140, spacing out tables to facilitate social distancing and setting up Plexiglas.

As well, they’re preparing to provide hand sanitizer and check temperatures of patrons as they enter the hall.

“As long as everybody follows the directions on what they’re supposed to do, we’ll be able to keep people safe,” said Sutherland.

Premier Jason Kenney said Tuesday that the next phase of the province’s relaunch was important to support businesses but stressed that COVID -19 remains a risk in Alberta.

“We have to get Alberta working again, restore the jobs that have been lost and revive the businesses that are just barely hanging on,” Kenney said. “Please support those businesses and other community groups safely, responsibly and patiently by continuing to respect public-health guidelines.”