YORKTON -- The lifting of the requirement February 14 for restaurants and fitness centres to ask visitors for a vaccination passport or a negative test result has a number of Yorkton business owners and managers smiling. Many of these businesses were pleasantly surprised by the increase in the number of patrons in their respective locations, not only on Monday but since then.
Juanita Polegi, Executive Director of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, has spoken to many of the Chamber’s members about their post proof of vaccination experience. “Many of the restaurateurs have indicated that beginning on Monday February 14, the number of customers coming through their doors increased resulting in much higher sales than in previous weeks,” she said. “One owner indicated that the booking of reservations for Monday began immediately following Premier Moe’s announcement that restrictions were to be lifted.”
Polegi indicated she had similar reports from the fitness industry. “One fitness centre owner told me it was a huge relief to have the restrictions lifted not just for the business but for the patrons as well so the centre was busier than in the weeks prior to the lifting of the restrictions”.
Meghan Lindgren, Chair of the Chamber’s Business Development committee is pleased to hear these reports of increased activity in the businesses. “If people are willing to visit in-person those businesses which previously required a vaccination passport or a proof of a negative test for covid-19, I believe that bodes well for other businesses and upcoming events,” she said.
The Yorkton Chamber is a proponent of shopping locally – either in-person or on-line. The Chamber is very happy to learn that as its members are seeing an increase in their in-person client or customer visits, the results are an increase in sales. When businesses do well, the community does well.
The Yorkton Chamber is “the voice of business in Yorkton” and represents over 450 members.
