Masks or no masks? Calgary business owners make prudent transition and update policies

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CALGARY – At HeadKandi, masks are no longer mandatory for staff or customers, but that doesn’t mean Calgary businesses are done with them.

“If our guests want to wear masks, they wear masks, if they want us to wear masks, we wear a mask. We’re really going to take the lead in what guests want us to do, ”said Jereme Bokitch, owner of Butter Beauty Salon, Hedkandi Salon and Johnny’s Barber’s + Shop.

Bokitch said they are following provincial guidelines, but even though the mask’s mandate is lifted, they want customers to feel comfortable.

He said some barriers will remain, especially at the sinks, and increased sanitation is the new normal.

“I think our team has done a great job making sure it’s safe and clean and we’re doing everything we’re supposed to do and we’re just going to continue to maintain that going forward.”

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The city repealed its mandatory mask mandate on Monday. Under provincial rules, masks are still required on public transit, taxis and rideshare services, and some health care facilities.

Business owners say it was difficult to make the decision to transition virtually overnight.

“To be honest it’s kind of a live approach and let it live, we want people to feel comfortable,” said Andrew Ferguson, owner of Kensington Wine Market.

Ferguson said staff or customers were no longer required to wear masks in the store.

“While this might not seem like the right time to end it all, at the same time trying to get things done is probably going to create more problems than it solves.”

WORRIED BY THE RETURN OF THE GAME

He admits that while he worries about negative reactions, he hopes there will be patience and understanding.

“Whether our staff or our customers want to wear a mask because it makes them more comfortable, they are welcome to do so. What will not be tolerated is anyone judging someone else for decisions they make for their own safety, ”Ferguson said.

Even if the restrictions end, the pandemic is not over.

“I think we’re entering this territory of assessing your own risk tolerance and values,” said Dr. Lynora Saxinger, infectious disease specialist, University of Alberta.

Dr Saxinger said many healthcare workers who have been fully vaccinated continue to wear masks, especially indoors and where ventilation is questionable.

“The times I would potentially highlight the use of a mask would be if you are indoors with a mixed group of people and you are not sure about the immunization status of everyone in the group, so that s. ‘would actually apply to a good number of businesses that are fully open right now.

Saxinger said it was especially important for unvaccinated people, children, or anyone who may be undergoing cancer treatment or taking immunosuppressive drugs to continue to wear masks.

She said she plans to wear face coverings until the fall, when more people spend more time indoors and the number of cases may increase.

“If we can get to the vaccine levels and reduce transmission enough that we don’t see any flare-ups, I would start to feel a lot more comfortable later in the fall, but for now I am a little diving a little bit and I think that’s okay.

According to the province, 73.49 percent of eligible Albertans, aged 12 and over, received their first dose of the vaccine. Almost half of eligible Albertans received two doses.


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