Kollektiv Cycle will implement the Vaccine Exemption Program starting September 20 (photo courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Teagan Rasche

Vaccine Exemption Program, capacity limitations

Fitness studios, funeral homes once again adapting to new rules

Sep 16, 2021 | 3:39 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Implementing the Vaccine Exemption Program is a no brainer for Sabrina Moore.

It’s something the Kollektiv Cycle owner announced just hours after the provincial news conference.

“I was very excited in that we can still remain open, frustrated in that the government has put the onus on the actual business owners to make that judgement call,” Moore said. “But for me, it’s a very easy decision because it’s a matter of me having to close my doors once again or staying open.”

Kollektiv was impacted by the pandemic, being closed almost the whole time. Space limitations prevented Moore from opening back up, even when other fitness studios were given the green light.

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But one place that won’t be as affected by the new rules are funeral homes.

“It won’t be as dramatic of a change other than we will have to deal with numbers,” John Cameron Davis from Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel said.

Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel and Crematorium will adapt to new capacity limits (photo courtesy Bob Schneider)

Starting September 20th, indoor funeral services are limited to 50 attendees or 50 percent fire code capacity, whatever is less and outdoor funerals are limited to 200 people.

Davis says they’ve always kept with the protocols because they deal with the vulnerable population.

“With regards to services, we’ve always encouraged social distancing and things of that nature,” David said.

One thing that became a big part of funerals during the pandemic is streaming. As an essential business with hundreds of services a year, it’s something Davis says will continue.

“I found situations where we will have a service with 60 or 70 people at it, there could be like 150 log-ons,” Davis said. “There are people who are making that choice to participate, but participate through streaming.”

Businesses are hopeful this is the last time they will have to adapt to new rules.

At Kollektiv, Moore says she’s had an overwhelmingly positive response about requiring customers to show a proof of vaccination and she’s excited to welcome more riders back.

“I’m hoping that after this is now going to be incorporated, we will be able to have a jump in our numbers once again,” Moore said.