Provincial government to allow personal service businesses to reopen

Health Minister Tyler Shandro has announced that personal and wellness services will be allowed to reopen on Jan. 18, on an appointment-only basis.

The news affects businesses like salons, barbershops, aesthetics, reflexology, tattoo, and piercing shops.

“We are just so excited. It means so much not just for our staff but also for our clients, especially the ones that experience hair loss,” Leslie Boss from The Extensionist Salon told CTV News after the announcement on Jan. 14.

Tyler Shandro

Minister Tyler Shandro announced personal and wellness services would be allowed to reopen on Jan. 18 during a press conference on Jan. 14. (YouTube/Government of Alberta)

Despite the welcome news for those industries, restaurants still remain closed for the time being, without a reopening date set.

"I’m hoping that will be really soon, but we’re at the mercy of the government. To say it’s been a rollercoaster, that’s an understatement,” said Joseph Rustom, owner of Barbarella Restaurant.

The province also announced that it would expand its relaunch grant for small businesses to businesses that have opened recently.