(File photo/northeastNOW Staff).

By Aaron Schulze

Tisdale Re. COVID-19

Town of Tisdale expects to be lenient on residents and businesses during COVID-19 pandemic

Mar 26, 2020 | 12:32 PM

It’s been two weeks since Saskatchewan saw its first case of COVID-19.

During that process, the Town of Tisdale saw a trickle-down effect. Schools and facilities closed, the town office locking its doors, all the way to non-essential businesses (restaurants, bars, salons) reducing or shutting down their services altogether.

“It’s just reduced the whole town to a standstill,” Tisdale Mayor Al Jellicoe said. “I’ve never seen anything ever like this, anywhere, especially in town. It’s almost grounded to a halt for anybody in commercial. But the residents themselves; if they’re not working, they’re not making any money. It’s going to be difficult in the next two or three months for some people to carry on.”

With residents in the town facing uncertain financial challenges, Jellicoe expects the town to be more lenient in terms of people paying their water bills or taxes in full.

However, Jellicoe said there are other ways the town expects to be impacted financially due to a prolonged pandemic. He mentioned spring is a busy season for tourism in the town, although seasonal events such as the Tisdale Rambler Rodeo and Trade Fair, the Tisdale Figure Skating Club’s annual carnival, and dance recitals have been postponed or cancelled.

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“Even if we have to cancel half a dozen weddings, that’s revenue to the town for facilities that won’t be there,” Jellicoe said. “We’re following anything that the provincial government has mandated. From the town’s perspective, it’s ‘wait and see’ what’s going on. We know things are going to be difficult for the next few months, especially if we can’t get businesses opened up.”

Jellicoe said the town has been in communication with Carrot River Valley MLA Fred Bradshaw and the Saskatchewan Health Authority regarding a potential COVID-19 testing station being set up in Tisdale. He said the SHA won’t set up a station if they’re only testing one or two residents a week, but the town will be available to help them out.

In the meantime, Jellicoe hopes residents follow the regulations and rules of Saskatchewan’s State of Emergency until the COVID-19 pandemic is through.

“I know some people who have come back from out of the country and they are self-isolating,” he said. “Maybe three weeks ago there were a few who didn’t really force that upon themselves. I think right now, everybody is listening to the provincial and federal governments. I believe the citizens of Tisdale are adhering to that very well. I hope it gets over with sooner rather than later.”

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow