SCOA Globe Walk

Phase 1, set to begin May 4, will see restrictions lifted on certain medical services alongside a focus on outdoor recreation:

• Medical services including dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment.
• Facilities to accommodate low-risk outdoor activities, such as boating and fishing.
• Online reservations for campgrounds, which are then to be opened on June 1.
• Golf courses will reopen with restrictions beginning May 15.

Phase 2, set to begin May 19, will include the opening of retail businesses and personal services not initially allowed under Saskatchewan’s state of emergency:

• Clothing stores, sporting good stores, vaping supply shops, bookstores, jewelry stores, boat and ATV dealerships, accessory stores, music stores, electronic stores, pawnshops and travel agencies.
• Personal services including hairdressers, registered massage therapists, acupuncturists and acupressurists.

Businesses are expected to continue practising physical distancing and implement screening measures if physical distancing is not possible.

Phase 3, to be enacted at a date still to be determined, will see the reopening of the remaining personal services and a relaxing of the restrictions on public gatherings:

• Aestheticians, tattoo artists, cosmetologists, electrologists, manicurists, pedicurists, suntanning parlours, body piercing, bone grafting or scarification services and other personal service providers.
• Restaurant and food services, to operate at 50 per cent capacity.
• Gyms.
• Child-care centres.
• Licensed establishments.
• Limits on public gatherings will increase to 15 people.

Phase 4, on a date also yet to be determined, will see further openings:

• Casinos, bingo halls, curling rinks, swimming pools, municipal parks and playgrounds, movie theatres, museums and similar facilities.
• Seasonal programming, such as camps, recreational activities and athletic activities.
• Limits on public gatherings will increase to 30 people.

Phase 5, which Moe said will be dependent on factors such as the COVID-19 case count, will include the lifting of long-term restrictions.

Visitation restrictions are still in place for long-term care facilities, hospitals, personal care homes and group homes.

“Give me a break officer – I was NOT visiting my grandparents!

Captains and team members:  Don’t forget to report your April kilometres.

Stay safe Globe Walkers

Please pass this information on to any older adults who might benefit.

We are on the last lap!  I hope everyone is finding creative ways to stay fit – and we finally have some nice weather, so we can head outside more often.  Let’s go Globe Walkers! 

Here are some interesting facts about the Great Wall of China to spur you on.

1. The Great Wall of China is the longest structure ever built by humans. It’s construction spanned 1800 years.
2. It attracts 50 million visitors every year, and had been visited by more than 460 heads of state and VIPs from around the world.  In 1987, the Great Wall was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
3. It is not one long continuous wall, but made up of a number of different sections. New sections are still being discovered.
4. Contrary to common belief, the Great Wall of China cannot be seen from space.
5. The Great Wall of China has been called the longest cemetery on Earth.  An estimated 400,000 workers perished during construction.  Archaeologists have found human remains buried under parts of the wall.
6. Wall construction was a common punishment for criminals.  
7. The Great Wall is wide enough in some places to drive a car over it.
8. The mortar used in some places of the Great Wall is made from glutinous rice (known colloquially as “sticky rice”) thanks to its cohesive properties.
9. A third of  the walls have disappeared. During Mao’s Cultural Revolution in the 60’s/70’s the Wall was vandalized or destroyed and used for construction. There was no clear regulations on the conservation of the Wall until 2006.
10. The wall was not very good at keeping out invaders.  Many enemies throughout history managed to cross the barrier.

(chinatravelers.com, mentalfloss.com, photos – unsplash.com)

I thought this chart was interesting.   I know most of us are in the higher risk group, but as they say “the only day promised is today”.  Let’s try to be the best we can be every day.

Some of you will be with those you love, some may be video chatting.  It may be different than what you are used to, but however you celebrate this year, may you all be blessed.