Elkwater Hurrerite Colony adapting to restrictions

By GILLIAN SLADE on April 9, 2020.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade

Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic poses some unique challenges in a Hutterite Colony, but in Elkwater they have found solutions.

Mike Hofer, farm manager for the Elkwater Hutterite Colony, says the usual practise of everyone eating together in one big dining area has stopped. Each family now eats on its own.

The colony has its own church building where everyone would normally gather together for services.

Hofer says they still have services but with a maximum of 15 people at a time. There is a rotation schedule so that over a period of time each person has an opportunity to participate in a service.

“We will get through this,” said Hofer.

The Elkwater Hutterite Colony typically makes trips into town to deliver and pick up goods. The number of trips have been reduced and contact with the public is avoided. Hofer says even the boxes that they use are sterilized every time.

Hofer says people in the colony will also start wearing face masks from Monday morning.

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