Julie Tracey says Bratt Pak has been inundated with calls for appointments as it gets set to reopen next week. (CHAT News photo).

By Alex McCuaig

Getting ready for customers

Businesses chomping at the bit to reopen

May 6, 2020 | 4:38 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Signs of retailers waking up from a COVID-19 induced slumber are starting to be seen as the provincial relaunch strategy hits its first stride on May 14.

Shaggy-haired men and women desperate for a haircut have been clamouring for barbers and hairstylists for weeks now.

And co-owner of Bratt Pak hair salon, Julie Tracey, found out just how desperate they’ve been as her phone “blew up” within minutes of the provincial relaunch strategy identifying her business as one of the retail operation which would be allowed to reopen in the first phase.

Nearly a week later the phone hasn’t stopped ringing.

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But the province also released an update of guidelines for businesses looking to reopen on Sunday.

Those include a whole range of requirements for staff and customers – especially those involving businesses that require close contact between customers and staff.

Like hairstylists.

But Tracey says Bratt Pak has been preparing for the relaunch since they were required to close in March and will meet – and in some cases exceed – provincial guidelines.

What the business looks like next week will be far different than it did earlier this year.

“You’ll be asked to wait in your car until we come and get you,” is the first difference said Tracey. “You’ll come in and we have a sanitizing station so we’ll get you to sanitize your hands. We do have a COVID questionnaire that you’ll have to fill in to make sure you’re not symptomatic as well as we will be taking your temperature.”

Tracey says staff will also be monitored for symptoms and sanitizing and spacing protocols will be in place while hours of operation may be extended or altered to accommodate those especially vulnerable due to age or pre-existing conditions or for individuals who simply require special times due to childcare or work conflicts.

For Boarding House owner Scott Dent, after having to layoff staff and adapt to an increase in internet sales, the business is now gearing up for reopening.

“We’re trying to make sure our store is ready to open. We’re pretty far behind as far as merchandising our store and getting out new product because we’ve been so busy with online orders we’re actually playing catch up because we let everybody go,” said Dent.

For clothing retailers such as the Boarding House, provincial guidelines include suggestions regarding ensuring individuals sanitize their hands prior to trying on clothing or possibly making sales final.

CHAT News reached out to the Medicine Hat Mall to discuss how and when it will reopen but has not heard back.