As local businesses and community groups have started opening up again, amidst COVID-19 restrictions, the Kitimat Northern Sentinel took a look at what several places have been doing for opening back up.
Religious Organizations
Many churches and religious organizations have been opening up again, with limited and often pre-registered numbers for their in-person services, and social distancing and sanitation regulations in place. Many also are, and have been offering live-streamed versions of their services on Facebook, YouTube, or other social media platforms. Check with your organization to see what they’re doing about reopening to in-person services.
Donation-based Stores
Tamitik Status of Women (TSW) is accepting donations for their Free Store and Furniture exchange, but currently by appointment only. Contact (250) 632-1237 to make an appointment to donate.
What’s In Store is open from Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. They are taking donations again on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Change rooms are closed at this time, and donations are held for an isolation period for extra precaution. The Kitimat store has a maximum limit of 10 people in-store at a time, and they are accepting all forms of payment, cash included.
Riverlodge Programming
Riverlodge reopened near the beginning of June and has been working to further reopen programs, while still maintaining social distancing and safety measures. Programs have maximum persons limits, equipment for classes and programming is sanitized after each use, and patrons are reminded to adhere to social distancing and sanitizing regulations while using the facility and participating in the programs. The Sam Lindsay Aquatic Centre is set to be the next thing open with leisure services.
Restaurants
Most restaurants have reopened, with maximum diner numbers and safety precautions in place, such as sanitizing protocols and staff wearing masks.
Rosario’s, for example, reopened their dine-in services again just recently. The have condensed the restaurant to keep diners six-feet apart and sanitizer is available for customers on the tables. Everything is sanitized between customer use, and the staff take precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of the diners.
Majority of restaurants in Kitimat are under the same or similar restrictions as Rosario’s, but check the restaurants’ websites or give them a call before you go, to see what restrictions are in place.
Hair and Beauty
Spas and salons were closed for about two-and-a-half months, but majority have since reopened with COVID-19 restrictions in place. B.C. guidelines are to be followed for the most part, including masks for clients and staff, sanitizing, and social distancing. The number of patrons permitted inside at one time is also limited, and some places may have reduced hours to allow for time to sanitize before and after clients. Check with individual salons to book appointments and see their safety preferences and rules.
clare.rayment@northernsentinel.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter