Photo courtesy City of Brooks

By Chantal Wagner

Excited for relaunch

Brooks mayor says majority of businesses ready to reopen

May 22, 2020 | 4:18 PM

BROOKS, AB – After a week’s delay, Premier Jason Kenney announced Friday morning that businesses in Brooks and Calgary can now participate in phase one of the province’s relaunch plan starting on Monday, May 25.

Together Brooks and Calgary account for three-quarters of the total COVID-19 cases in the province, so they were prevented from re-opening with the rest of Alberta province on May 14.

The two cities will be able to open hair styling and barbershops next week.

Cafés, restaurants, and pubs will also be permitted to reopen for table service, but only at 50 percent capacity.

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Brooks Mayor Barry Morishita says they are excited for the relaunch with the majority of businesses ready to re-open.

He says it was disappointing for business owners last week from an operational perspective that some weren’t able to open their doors.

But the community understood that the best thing for the city was to wait before moving too quickly.

“I think we have to look at this of how the community has responded. We were shocked and dismayed as the outbreak escalated, but we brought in asymptomatic testing, pressed for a second one, we did all those things and the community responded by recovering quickly and completely flattening the curve by their actions. So while it was a big wake up call, we can also see the success in that so well done city of Brooks.”

Summer camps, summer schools, and in-person post-secondary classes will still not be allowed to open until June 1.

Places of worship and funeral services can also be expanded on June 1 if they follow provincial guidelines.

Morishita says this situation is fluid and it’s difficult to plan out how we’re going to respond to something when we don’t know what’s happening next.

“It’s been the most difficult thing from my perspective as the Mayor of Brooks. It changes so quickly that it’s hard to make that plan so I really do commend the premier for stepping out earlier than we did last time to let businesses know they can proceed. It’s much appreciated. And I think we’re making improvements in response to this every day that we go through it.

Mosishita says the city is trying to move forward with its municipal openings as well.

He says bigger playgrounds are opening this week including the skateboard park. With all of the parks slated to be online by the end of next week.

City Hall, public works, and fire hall will be open to the public within all the rules starting on Monday the 25.

Meantime, over 99 percent of employees at the JBS meatpacking plant have recovered with the vast majority returning back to work.

He says their second shift is up and running which is huge for workers, agricultural communities, and consumers.

Morishita says he can’t thank the community enough for their efforts.