THUNDER BAY – Ontario lifted the mandatory mask requirements in many settings on March 21 and slowly but surely, customers are becoming more comfortable shopping without and around people without masks.
“Pretty much neutral, as long as I’m protecting myself, that’s all that really matters right?” said Felix Galeotafiore, an Intercity Mall shopper.
“You know, everybody has their own opinions. We all live in Thunder Bay, we all shop, and we all do things, just be neutral and get along. If they don’t wear one, that’s okay right?”
While many would assume that people would be ready to drop the masks immediately, that doesn’t appear to be what local businesses are seeing.
“It’s like 70 per cent wearing a mask, 30 per cent not. We had a policy before where if you couldn’t wear a mask for any reason we would serve you outside just to keep as many people as possible safe,” said Sarah Green, acting manager of Maier Hardware on Algoma Street.
Like with the old policy, Maier Hardware now offers the same outdoor service for anyone who does not feel comfortable shopping in an environment without masks.
"I haven't had any customers getting upset with other customers, but if somebody doesn't want to come into the store because people are unmasked, then we'll do an outside order for them, so we're doing our best to accommodate everybody," said Green.
Not everyone agreed with the lifting of the mask mandate, however. Some say they feel masks are still needed to avoid outbreaks and protect the vulnerable.
“I think that’s not really good because of how the pandemic’s still around,” said Ryder Nodin, an Intercity Mall shopper.
“One mess up can probably lead to multiple cases again. I think masks should still be mandatory in the mall.”
