(File Photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

COVID Restrictions

Mental health improving for northeast businesses with all COVID restrictions lifted

Mar 2, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Business isn’t the only thing trending in the right direction for several northeast organizations.

The mental health of staff has steadily been improving since vaccine passports were lifted last month and are expected to continue healing now that masks are no longer needed.

This is due to the angry customers who fought back against the restrictions.

Gavin Brandl, manager at The Spot in Tisdale, told northeastNOW his hostesses, all of which are high school students, received most of the flack throughout the pandemic.

“They’re the people that greet the door, that’s a lot of pressure that’s been put on a portion of society that I don’t think deserves it.”

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Morale is also up at SpaFit by Linda in Melfort.

Owner Linda Madraga said they’ve had their fair share of angry customers.

“We always get those few that don’t want to wear (masks), but it is what it is, it was a mandate that was given.”

Overall, her staff seems to be much happier and they’re hoping to see business continue improving as the province moves away from the restrictions.

Meanwhile, the owner-operator of The Dam Smokehouse in Nipawin believes morale is up for staff because they no longer have to follow the restrictions.

“Nobody liked wearing the masks in a hot kitchen, nobody liked wearing them out front trying to talk to customers, trying to get orders,” said Faron Saurfert.

Unlike SpaFit and The Spot, which is also expecting an increase in customers now that masks aren’t needed, Saurfert doesn’t believe there will be a big jump in business.

He added there was a noticeable increase in business after the vaccine policy was lifted, however, they had very little push back from customers about wearing masks throughout the pandemic.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow