Local health measures post mask mandate

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With the provincial mandate on the use of face masks set to lift at the beginning of July, the Strathmore Wheatland Chamber of Commerce expects local business to spring back to life.

Shawn Kisling, executive director of the chamber, commended local businesses for getting along and helping each other to survive through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s incredible how much the businesses are getting along so great with all the clientele and the customers to keep our businesses alive,” he said. “Everyone is still abiding by the rules, and I haven’t heard any rumblings amongst the businesses and customers.”

Kisling added that despite both the province and the town lifting their mandates, some businesses may still require people to wear masks while inside.

He cited it may simply come down to personal preference whether a business, as well as customers, choose to maintain the practice.

“There are always some businesses that might decide to keep them on; there will probably be a lot of customers who decide to keep them on until we get more numbers coming through,” he noted. “I know a lot of people are going to be very relieved to take off their masks; some will probably still be a little bit trepidatious to have masks.”

Strathmore Mayor Pat Fule added some people may still be wary of COVID-19 variants and choose to continue masking out of a continued sense of caution.

“I think we’re going to see a return to much more of a normal kind of lifestyle. I’m sure people are still going to want to be careful … (and) they want to continue wearing masks,” he said. “I’ve heard some people are still a little bit worried (about) the variants that are still out there that are so contagious, and people are still a little bit worried about our move forward.”

Though the province of Alberta will be lifting the mandate on masks on July 1, Kisling said he favours Calgary’s approach to wait until July 5, after Canada day.

The Town of Strathmore mandated the use of masks in December 2020, with a condition to lift the mandate locally when the number of cases dropped below 20 for 14 consecutive days.

As of last Friday, Fule said he was aware of one active COVID-19 case in Strathmore.

Similarly, Kisling said whether businesses continue to offer hand sanitizer will be up to personal preference, but he expects it’s something that may stick around more regularly than the use of masks.

“I think hand sanitizers in businesses are going to be as common as open signs, or hours of operation signs. It’s going to be around for a while,” he said.

“Businesses in town have been so good about putting out hand sanitizing stations and I think it’s … another safe measure because when you’re in a store you obviously might touch and handle things,” Fule explained.

According to Fule, COVID-19 cases in Strathmore dropped from nearly 200 in early spring to just one active case in June – something he commended for the community. 

“When you have a high – I think it was in early May or late April – of 173 active COVID-19 cases in Strathmore, and then by the end of June you’re down to one or possibly zero, that’s pretty impressive data.”