(File photo/northeastNOW staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Mandatory masks, vaccine passports

Melfort Chamber reminds public not to take new gov. mandate frustrations out on businesses

Sep 17, 2021 | 12:40 PM

Business owners around Saskatchewan will have their work cut out for them again when it comes to COVID-19 guidelines.

Masks are now required in public indoor spaces and proof of vaccination begins Oct. 1 for indoor dining, bars, casinos and event venues.

Executive director of the Melfort Trade Alliance Chamber of Commerce Cam Lee said it is important for everyone to remember that local businesses are simply abiding by the government mandate.

“Business owners and employees are pretty resilient, they will do what they need to do to keep their doors open and keep customers coming in and supporting them,” Lee said. “Whether they want to or not is another story.”

The silver lining for businesses is that the mask mandate isn’t unfamiliar territory.

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“They are used to because they did it not so long ago,” Lee said. “Nobody really wanted to see this again, and we all wanted to be out of COVID by now and this is the governments way of saying, let’s try to dial it down a bit.”

Lee is hopeful there won’t be any repeats of the public taking out their frustration on employees.

“We have seen instances in the past where people come into local businesses being very vocal and very inappropriate with employees who have no say whatsoever as to what is going on,” Lee said. “If you’re upset about that, you have every right to show your displeasure but just don’t direct frustration to the people who have no say over it.”

It is also important to continue to support local businesses like they support the community and its organizations, Lee said.

The mandatory masking order is targeted to be lifted by late October at which time a full proof of vaccination or negative test requirement will be implemented.

“There are still some details to come out as far as vaccine passports so we will see how that will look in the coming weeks,” Lee said.

Indoor youth athletics for those under the age of 18 are exempt from the masking order while actively engaged in athletic activity. Masking in venues hosting youth athletics will be required for general entry and exit into the facility for athletes and spectators.

The public will be required to have a proof of vaccination or test negative to access certain establishments and venues that bring groups of people together as of Oct. 1.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser