Business, Fougere, residents react to Saskatchewan mask policy

Mandatory masks are on the way for three cities in Saskatchewan, but the idea remains a contentious subject.

On Tuesday, the province announced masks will be mandatory in public places in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

One of the reasons Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, gave for the policy was to level the playing field for businesses in the province, with some already having mask policies and some not.

“I saw some videos over the last few days over Halloween and way too many people were crowded in bars and not wearing masks and not social distancing and all that sort of stuff. That’s not what we wanted here at our place,” said Rebellion Brewing’s Mark Heise, whose business has had a mandatory mask policy in place since mid-August.

“We were more concerned about protecting ourselves and my staff and our customers but at the same time you want to see a level playing field and see the rules applied fairly and this is definitely going to make that a reality.”

He said there were some bumps in the road for Rebellion when it first introduced its policy.

“Since then, everyone has been really understanding. We’re fine here but there definitely probably was a bit of a drop in people coming in,” Heise said. “We had a ton of support and a a ton of people saying we were doing the right thing but I think subliminally some people might have chosen to go somewhere else a little more fun with less rules.

“I don’t think people were deliberately boycotting us by any stretch.”

Heise said his business is expected to lose around $500,000 this year.

“Every small business is really hurting and you’re starting to really hear a groundswell of support advocating to support local, shop local, buy your Christmas gifts local. It’s that rallying and everyone coming together on the same page. That’s what’s going to get us through this in the end,” Heise said.

Heise said the mask policy is better than another option on the table — another economic shutdown.

“Mandatory masks are good for business, and I understand people feeling that it may take away from your freedom. I view masks as a pro-capitalist kind of thing because it allows us to stay open and keep operating,” Heise said. “I’d much rather go with a mandatory mask policy than a shutdown, that’s for sure.”

Regina mayoral candidate Michael Fougere says the mask policy will be critical to prevent another provincial lockdown.

“I fully support what the chief medical (health) officer is saying,” Fougere said. “I’m hoping we don’t have a lockdown of any restaurants or any business. So I’m hopeful that this policy will get people’s attention.

“I’m hopeful people will practise what they’ve got to do, which is to wear those masks in public places indoors.”

Fougere called the mask policy progressive, and a way to not only protect Regina residents but people throughout the province.

But some people in the province are voicing their displeasure with the government’s decision.

“I think it’s absolutely insane. It’s ludicrous,” a listener named Jim said on Gormley. “When (COVID-19) first came out, (the World Health Organization) did not want and wouldn’t recommend wearing masks because they stated people wouldn’t wear them correctly.

“(People are) adjusting them constantly and what do they do? They pick up a jar of peanut butter (and) they set it back down. I absolutely think it’s the worst thing that the government could do.”

On the text line, Doug in Saskatoon said: “Calgary implemented indoor masks on Aug.1 and there, numbers continue to increase!”

But Heise doesn’t expect many people to not follow the rules.

“There will definitely be some self-policing and even waiting around for the regular police with regular laws and bylaws,” he said. “Most people are well-intentioned and don’t try to go out of their way to break the law even though there isn’t a police officer standing on every corner watching them.”