By Chad Ingram and Darren Lum
Minden businesses are preparing to re-open, or expand their restricted operations, following the Ford government’s announcement earlier this week that as of 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 12, communities outside of the GTA and Golden Horseshoe areas will move into the second phase of the province’s COVID-19 recovery process.
Haliburton County is included in the list of regions that may proceed into Stage 2.
As of Friday, outdoor dine-in services at restaurants, bars and other establishments may resume, with proper health and safety protocols in place. Also on the list are personal care services such as barbershops and hair salons, beauty salons and tattoo parlours.
Cody Nasby runs Traditional Barber at 116 Bobcaygeon Road in Minden and told the Times that when the provincial order came in March to shut down, he thought it would last a couple of weeks, instead of nearly three months.
Nasby opened his shop on Minden’s main drag in November of last year and said business had been going well. “Everything was going fantastic and then COVID-19 hit,” he said.
Appointments for the foreseeable future will be by appointment only. “I will be getting back to walk-ins eventually, but as of now it’s appointments only just so I can kind of control the traffic,” Nasby said.
It seems there are a number of customers anxious for a cut. “I’m filling up daily,” Nasby said. “My phone is ringing every two seconds so I’m definitely going to be full for the foreseeable future.”
Nasby opened his shop on Minden’s main drag in November of last year and said business had been going well. “Everything was going fantastic and then COVID-19 hit,” he said.
Appointments for the foreseeable future will be by appointment only. “I will be getting back to walk-ins eventually, but as of now it’s appointments only just so I can kind of control the traffic,” Nasby said.
It seems there are a number of customers anxious for a cut. “I’m filling up daily,” Nasby said. “My phone is ringing every two seconds so I’m definitely going to be full for the foreseeable future.”
For the time being, there is no beard or moustache trimming or shaving permitted.
“So that’s part of the restriction is that I’m not going to be doing anything facial,” Nasby said. “I’m not going to be able to do any beard trims or do any straight razor shaves or any of that kind of stuff. It’s just going to strictly be haircuts to keep the touching of people’s faces to a minimum.”
He is preparing for the new normal and will be adhering to safety protocols related to reducing the spread of COVID-19 such as making customers use hand sanitizer, and wear gloves and masks upon entering his establishment. He will also wear a mask during the 30-minute appointments.
“So that’s part of the restriction is that I’m not going to be doing anything facial,” Nasby said. “I’m not going to be able to do any beard trims or do any straight razor shaves or any of that kind of stuff. It’s just going to strictly be haircuts to keep the touching of people’s faces to a minimum.”
He is preparing for the new normal and will be adhering to safety protocols related to reducing the spread of COVID-19 such as making customers use hand sanitizer, and wear gloves and masks upon entering his establishment. He will also wear a mask during the 30-minute appointments.
Before Premier Doug Ford’s announcement earlier this week, Nasby heard from others that the second phase of re-opening would include barbers and hair stylists outside Toronto and the GTA. He couldn’t contain his happiness when he learned of the good news while watching the live broadcast on his home computer.
“I sat there and waited, and waited for Ford’s [announcement]. It only took about three minutes to announce that our area was going to be able to open so I jumped out of my chair … I screamed I was so happy,” Nasby said.
To contact Nasby, message him through his Traditional Barber page on FB or call him on his mobile at 705-457-7222.
“I sat there and waited, and waited for Ford’s [announcement]. It only took about three minutes to announce that our area was going to be able to open so I jumped out of my chair … I screamed I was so happy,” Nasby said.
To contact Nasby, message him through his Traditional Barber page on FB or call him on his mobile at 705-457-7222.
Terri Mathews-Carl of Carnarvon’s Rhubarb restaurant and Minden’s Boshkung Social told the Times that patios at both locations will open Friday, along with the food truck at Boshkung Social.
“Hours are yet to be determined, but we’re happy to open and welcome back our local and cottage customers,” Mathews-Carl said.
At the Dominion Hotel, owner Shawn Chamberlin said he’s also working on
plans to re-open in accordance with provincial guidelines.
“Hours are yet to be determined, but we’re happy to open and welcome back our local and cottage customers,” Mathews-Carl said.
At the Dominion Hotel, owner Shawn Chamberlin said he’s also working on
plans to re-open in accordance with provincial guidelines.
Other business activities that may resume include biking, walking, bus and boat tours, as well as tasting tours at wineries, breweries and distilleries. Recreational water facilities such as splash pads, wading pools and swimming pools may re-open with protocols in place, as well as outdoor recreational facilities for team sports, with processes in place to enable physical distancing. Camping at private campgrounds, as well as beach access and camping at provincial parks, will also be permitted to resume.
Across the province, social gatherings will be able to include up to 10 people, with the limit previously being five, and places of worship may operate at a one-third capacity.
The health and long-term economic well-being of the people of Ontario has guided every decision we have made in response to COVID-19,” Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance and chairman of the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee, said in a statement. “The people and employers of Ontario have demonstrated responsible behaviour throughout the global pandemic. I’m confident that will continue in Stage 2 and beyond. Our collective health and the economic recovery of the province depend on it.”
A press release from the province also indicates the province will soon be releasing information on the reopening of day cares, summer camps and public transit.
The provincial framework on reopening for Stage 2 can be found at https://files.ontario.ca/mof-framework-reopening-province-
stage-2-en-2020-06-08.pdf