La Loche mayor ‘cautiously optimistic’ as travel restrictions prepare to be lifted

La Loche mayor Robert St. Pierre was pleased to hear that travel restrictions will be lifted in Saskatchewan’s far north region on June 8.

Non-essential travel in Saskatchewan’s northeast region has been restricted since the end of April once the number of COVID-19 cases began increasing before peaking at 156 cases on May 10.

As of Wednesday, there are 24 cases in Saskatchewan’s far north region.

St. Pierre said it took a community effort to get to this point, and that restrictions can be reapplied just as quickly as they were in April.

“It just shows that we’re doing all the right things in our community,” St. Pierre said. “We know that we’re not out of the woods yet and that things can change on a dime.”

“We’re cautiously optimistic.”

St. Pierre admitted there was a time when he wondered if the restrictions would ever be lifted.

“It’s very welcoming. At the get go we didn’t think we’d be able to contain (case numbers) because it was getting out of hand. Then we’re able to get to the point where travel restrictions are being lifted — it’s awesome,” St. Pierre said.

The province has also cleared La Loche to open up businesses that are part of the first two phases of the reopening plan, although St. Pierre said that won’t change much since there aren’t many businesses in La Loche aside from essential ones.

Gatherings can also increase from 10 to 20 people.

“We want to ensure that our residents are safe and that when those restrictions are lifted we’re where we need to be,” St. Pierre said.