Silver Buckle Sports Bar May 28, 2020 (Photo courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Chantal Wagner

guidelines in place

Exactly two weeks have passed since bars and pubs could reopen

May 28, 2020 | 4:50 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – After months of being cooped up, Medicine Hat residents are venturing out to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat at their favourite pub.

Exactly two weeks have passed for restaurants, bars, and pubs to be open in phase one of Alberta’s relaunch.

Devon Potvin, Owner of the Silver Buckle Sports Bar, says things are good.

Customers are starting to come out more and are eager to support local business after isolating.

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Potvin says everyone has been great about adhering to the rules and is on board with following protocols.

He says they have a pretty good system going and thinks alcohol can always play a factor when following new rules.

But believes the rule of “table service only” is helping.

“With the limitation of no bar service, no walk-up service, it kind of prevents an extra social dynamic. So showing up and having a beer and a burger is what it was designed for. We don’t have live music, we’re not open all night, people aren’t roaming around. So I think it could play a factor but we haven’t seen it because of the protocols in place.”

The Buckle’s protocols include distancing tables, 50 percent capacity, staff wearing masks, mandatory sanitization stations, new wireless debit machines, and a contactless menu.

“Everybody has been great, and if they’re unfamiliar with something we kindly ask them and there’s no push back. They say no problem, I’m sorry, and they adhere to it,” Potvin said.