Restaurants and bar owners wait anxiously to see if they can open

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – The numbers are good, but are they good enough to reopen Calgary restaurants, bars and hair salons?

Premier Jason Kenney will announce Friday whether these businesses can start reopening on Monday.

Kenney’s UCP government faced criticism after stopping Calgary and Brooks from relaunching with the rest of the province just hours before the scheduled date of May 14.

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The premier said they made that decision because of the high volume of cases in both regions.

While many businesses are waiting to get the green light for a Monday reopen, some say it still doesn’t give them enough time.

P.J. L’Heureux is the founder of CRAFT Beer Market in downtown Calgary and said they’re not preparing for a Monday open.

“We’re obviously waiting, now, for them to make the announcement. An announcement on late Friday makes it almost impossible to open on Monday anyways. Because you can’t get your food in and everything prepared for Monday. We’re planning to open sometime next week if the announcement is a go.”

L’Heureux said the bar will introduce new policies including social distancing tables and health checks for staff starting their shift.

He added the shutdown has affected the restaurant and bar scene across the city.

“It’s been really tough. The one thing that’s brought us all together is we’re all in it together, I think the camaraderie has been good but it’s been very, very tough. It’s going to be a long haul for the next little until people get comfortable with the new norm.”

Meanwhile, the province’s top doctor said Calgary is on the right track to reopening as the number of cases being confirmed each day has dropped.