Businesses such as restaurants had to adapt quickly to new restrictions in time for labour day long weekend (Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Businesses adapting to latest restrictions once again

Sep 5, 2021 | 4:55 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – As the latest round of restrictions hit Albertans this weekend, businesses once again had to adapt

On Friday, the province announced mandatory masking in indoor public spaces and workplaces, effective Saturday at 8 a.m.

Joe Desjardins in the owner of Country Crumbs Cafe in the Arcade Plaza. He said once masking was reinstated, it was business as usual for his team.

“When we started seeing the numbers go up we started wearing masks just to protect us and everyone that we are working around,” he said.

Desjardins said since the reinstatement of the mask mandate, on Saturday people have been compliant overall.

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“For the most part, most of the people are wearing masks. I haven’t had any complaints yet. But if someone comes in here that doesn’t have a mask on we try to get them to put it on but if they don’t put it on there is nothing I can do,” Desjardins said.

Andy McGrogan is the former chief of police with the Medicine Hat Police Service. He is also a candidate in the upcoming municipal election. He said he is in full support of a provincial mask mandate. But he said compliance may once again be an issue.

“I know for a fact the underlying message the last time was don’t enforce the mask bylaw. So we will have a mask bylaw but we aren’t going to enforce it. And you can’t do that. If you are going to have a bylaw or a law in place then enforce it or not. Otherwise, people are going to go, ‘oh it is just a joke’ and I heard that. So in my view if you are going to do it, do it right, and quit changing it all the time,” he said

Another restriction announced on Friday was the capping of liquor service to 10 p.m, at licensed establishments. While some close prior to the 10 p.m. mark those that stay open late say the impact will be felt.

“It’s going to have a major financial impact on us for sure,” said Local owner Mike Waskalik

“A big part of our sales happen after 10 p.m. to that 2 a.m. time frame and with that gone, and rather suddenly it is a real kick to us,” he said.

Waskalik projects his business will take a 25 per cent hit on Fridays and Saturdays due to the alcohol curfew.

And with colder weather coming soon, that would eliminate their patio, something which has been helping their business generate revenue.

Waskalik said he and others in the restaurant industry are doing their absolute best to roll with the restrictions so they can continue to operate and do what they love.

“It’s something we have had to deal with the last year and a half. It’s been a struggle but we find solutions, and we do what we got to do to stay open,” he said.