Theatres, bingo halls and casinos are among a list of business that will be able to reopen as soon as Friday, but local enterprises are working to determine and comply with new sector-specific health guidelines and may be delayed.--NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
Once again in Alberta’s reopen plan, many businesses that will be allow to open as soon as Friday, won’t be ready that day and customers can expect a staggered relaunch of operations when they able to comply with new sector specific health guidelines.
Stage 2 of an Alberta “relaunch strategy” was to begin next week, but on Tuesday, the province announced that date would be moved up to Friday.
Some businesses that opened in Stage 1 weeks ago will be allowed to expand operations, such as restaurants that will have no limits on the number of patrons for sit-down service, though night clubs will remain closed.
Those that depend on larger gatherings, such as theatres, casinos and bingo halls heard they will be able to operate for the first time since mid-March, but many are still finalizing reopening plans.
Managers at Top Hat Bingo said they were caught off guard by the announcement of the faster timeline, and were evaluating plans to reopen.
They deferred questions about operating procedures to the Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis Commission.
“There’s a lot of work to be done,” said David Johnson, a spokesman for the Alberta Charitable Casinos Association, which includes Copper Coulee Casino in Medicine Hat.
“There are a variety of factors to consider, including employee recalls, training on COVID safety procedures, and financial aspects … That’s all being worked on with the AGLC.”
Jeremy Silver is the chair of the City Centres Development Agency, which operates The Monarch Theatre. He said the ability to reopen has happened faster than expected, and his organization needs time to evaluate and comply with health regulations that still require physical distance to be observed, and other hygiene requirements.
“It’s certainly welcome but we’ll have to sit down and talk about what that means for our operation,” said Silver.
Officials with nationwide theatre chain Cineplex, which operates the Galaxy Theatres in Medicine Hat, said they welcomed the ability to reopen their Alberta locations, but didn’t have any specific timelines in place.
“We are still reviewing what’s been announced in Alberta and determining what it will mean for our cinemas,” said spokeswoman Sarah Van Lange. “While we are certainly excited for the day our operations can resume, our top priority has always been the health and safety of our employees and guests and ensuring that their time with us is safe, comfortable and welcoming.”
