(Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Garage, Yard Sales On Hold

Melfort residents advised garage and yard sales are not permitted due to COVID-19

May 7, 2020 | 10:00 AM

A spring and summer tradition for many will not be happening just yet.

Garage and yard sales are not yet permitted in Melfort due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A news release from the City said the sales are “not considered critical public services and are not named as an allowable business” under the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

“A garage sale is certainly a risky interaction when we’re inviting others into our homes and have individuals sharing objects, touching things, and passing them along,” Director of Development, Planning and Community Relations Brent Lutz told northeastNOW. “[There is] also a chance of passing along the COVID-19 virus in situations like that.”

Garage and yard sale transactions are generally cash-based as well, Lutz said, adding to the potential COVID-19 risk.

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Lutz said the news release was a response to the many inquiries made to the city by residents who are curious as to whether garage and yard sales are permitted. He said the decision to temporarily ban the sales was made by the province through their business advice line.

With many people self-isolating at home, spring cleaning and sorting have been more common. Lutz said people likely have unearthed more items they don’t need and that they are looking to sell.

“We just encourage [residents to] keep those things and wait for that opportunity when it arises later on, when things come back to normal where you’ll be able to have your garage sale then,” Lutz said.

The city will update the community when garage and yard sales are once again permitted.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974