Saskatchewan's third phase of reopening in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is slated for Monday, June 8, one week from today. Some businesses can't wait to get back open again and are already making plans for next Monday. Others are approaching the day with a little less enthusiasm. 

Restaurants and gyms are among the businesses allowed to reopen in a week's time, but no business is forced to reopen on that date. And at least one popular Estevan restaurant is planning to stay closed beyond that third phase start date. 

"I think the biggest thing is still a safety concern," said Jeff Pierson, owner of Blackbeard's and The Beef in Estevan. "We closed down at 50 percent, ahead of the mandate for the safety of our staff. We're still taking that same position. Our staff is what's most important." 

Pierson added he's been helped by people taking advantage of Blackbeard's takeout menu, which will still be in operation past June 8. Between the difficulty of getting personal protective equipment, the laundry list of regulations, and the change to the atmosphere of a family restaurant, he wasn't prepared to reopen Blackbeard's under current conditions. 

"Each business has the decision to open under those restrictions or stay status quo," he said. "I guess we're going to be one of the few that just sticks to the takeout business for now until we feel differently... We're very thankful for the community support since we reopened the kitchen for takeout. We're going to do as much as we can with that." 

Despite the complex new guidelines, pages of which Pierson said now sit on his desk, he believed there will be quite a few restaurants opening up. And there will certainly be at least one gym opening up, as Studio C in Estevan couldn't wait to get back to normal operations. 

"Our initial reaction was, 'Finally!' It's pretty exciting for us," said Chad Kerr, owner of the gym, "and for all of our members. It's been a long time coming. This has been a long, drawn-out thing, most people are probably sick of it by now. But it's exciting to get back to business." 

The gym won't be able to operate in its usual 24-hour capacity under the new guidelines by the province, as they must have staff there at all times. They also announced on their Facebook page they won't be taking drop-ins for the time being. But to get back open in any way was important for Kerr and his wife CeaAnna, who both operate the gym.

"For their own mental health, people need to get to the gym," he said. "It's kind of a savior for a lot of people, myself included. It's not the same without having your daily taste of the gym."