Local businesses bustling as they reopen

Tim Brody - Editor

Last Friday the majority of the province, including Northern Ontario, entered Stage 2 of the Ontario government’s framework for reopening the economy.
Hair salons were one of the services allowed to reopen on Friday.
Cherie Coulombe of Chez Cherie Hair Salon said it was good to be open.
“People were so excited. One (customer) exclaimed she was equating it with her first date in just anticipating getting her hair taken care (of),” Coulombe said. She added, “No problems whatsoever with the extra precautions, most are used to it now and willing to do whatever in order to get their hair cut!”
Coulombe said she is already booking into July.
Photography services were also allowed to reopen as part of Stage 2.
Ashley Kosinski of Silver Birch Photography shared, “My husband and I were in the middle of renovating our new tiny home when my phone started going crazy!”
“My June schedule sold out before the end of the day, and I booked into July within 24 hours of announcing my reopening. Thankfully outdoor shoots are easy to navigate with safe COVID precautions, and I'm blessed with incredible clients - they and I are all very excited to hang out and take some beautiful photographs,” she said.
Jennifer Schulz, owner of Kolors Hair Design, said the business is reopening on June 23, “We are excited to get back to work and we look forward to catching up with everyone! It’ll be nice to bring some normalcy back! Things are going to look a little different from the regular salon visits pre-COVID but we are ready!”
Businesses and services permitted to reopen with proper health and safety measures in place in regions entering Stage 2 include:

• Outdoor dine-in services at restaurants, bars and other establishments, including patios, curbside, parking lots and adjacent properties;
• Select personal and personal care services with the proper health and safety measures in place, including tattoo parlours, barber shops, hair salons and beauty salons;
• Shopping malls under existing restrictions, including food services reopening for take-out and outdoor dining only;
• Tour and guide services, such as bike and walking, bus and boat tours, as well as tasting and tours for wineries, breweries and distilleries;
• Water recreational facilities such as outdoor splash pads and wading pools, and all swimming pools;
• Beach access and additional camping at Ontario Parks;
• Camping at private
• campgrounds;
• Outdoor-only recreational facilities and training for outdoor team sports, with limits to enable physical distancing;
• Drive-in and drive-through venues for theatres, concerts, animal attractions and cultural appreciation, such as art installations;
• Film and television production activities, with limits to enable physical distancing; and
• Weddings and funerals, with limits on social gatherings to 10 people.

As businesses reopen, the Northwestern Health Unit is encouraging people to continue to adhere to COVID-19 preventative guidelines:

• Stay home if you are sick;
• Practice physical distancing, and wear a mask / face covering when you cannot;
• Stay in your social bubble;
• Limit group sizes to 10 people while still practicing physical distancing - organized events with more than 10 people are against the provincial order and are subject to fines (regardless of physical distancing and mask use); and
• Limit non-essential travel outside of your community.