Penny Schooley at the stylists at her hair salon are back at work. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

New Normal

La Ronge businesses begin to re-open, regional travel restrictions amended

May 19, 2020 | 4:51 PM

It’s a new kind of normal for local businesses Tuesday as the second phase of Re-Open Saskatchewan plan commenced.

It was two months ago when Penney Schooley closed her hair salon to customers as the coronavirus first began to spread across the province. As of May 19, however, many services deemed non-essential have been allowed to engage in business again, as long as they have precautionary measures in place. During her first day back to work, Schooley explained it was busy.

“We’re still taking appointments of course, but we’re pretty much booked for the week and we encourage people to call because we’re not taking walk-ins,” she said.

There are many changes at Penny’s Hair Design Ltd. to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. For example, each station has been sectioned off and social distancing is being maintained as much as possible. When working with clients, stylists will also wear face masks, gloves, an apron and eye protection.

Schooley noted it was somewhat difficult to obtain the personal protective equipment (PPE), adding she first began looking for it when she first learned the date she’d be able to re-open. She added in recent days, however, acquiring PPE has been easier.

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“I’m sure some of what we are doing now will carry on,” Schooley said. “I’m hoping it’s not all going to be like this forever. Definitely, it’s going to be the new normal for a while.”

Registered Massage Therapist Kevin Jackson is still waiting on his supply of PPE before he can re-open Northern Massage Therapy. He said the clinic is sanitized and will meet the specifications outlined by the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Jackson will also be required to wear much of the same PPE as hair stylists.

When he does re-open, Jackson has already decided there will be changes such as reducing the services offered and the number of time slots he provides.

“I’m personally limiting treatments to one hour,” he said. “I used to have more flexibility. There’s a lot of people who require paramedical treatments for conditions. I’m trying to get people through as quickly as possible and everyone has to cooperate for the time being.”

Jackson is also interested in learning when the provincial government will allow for groups larger than 10 people. When the pandemic struck, he was on the verge of opening his Movement Therapy Centre in Air Ronge. The space is meant for community groups to use for various exercises.

La Ronge public health exemption removed

The public health order restricting travel to the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District has been amended to only apply to the northwest region. Travel to other areas of the North for commercial, domestic and recreational regions is permitted starting today.

The health order will now include clarity for northwestern community leaders, residents and checkpoint staff to allow locals to obtain essential goods and services while travelling for medical reasons.

The municipalities that remain under the current public health order that restricts non-essential travel are: Bear Creek, Beauval, Birch Narrows, Dene Nation, Black Point, Buffalo Narrows, Buffalo River, Dene Nation, Canoe Lake First Nation, Clearwater River Dene Nation, Cole Bay, Descharme Lake, Dillon, Dore Lake, English River First Nation, Garson Lake, Green Lake, Ile a la Crosse, Jan’s Bay, Lac La Plonge, La Loche, Little Amyot Lake, Michel Village, Patuanak, St. George’s Hill, Sled Lake, and Turnor Lake.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno