Not everything has been cancelled for the summer. Downtown Saskatoon’s executive director says there is a possibility the annual sidewalk sale could continue. Brent Penner says it’s usually held in July, but could be moved to August, but it all depends on whether provincial safety regulations are opened up further by then.

He realizes it would have to be altered to keep physical distancing in mind, and if that doesn’t work they may think about having an indoor sidewalk sale inside the individual businesses. Downtown Saskatoon is promoting that the doors are open through the social media hashtag #BACKDOWNTOWN.

Penner says their 8-person cleaning team is back on the streets doing power washing and getting rid of graffiti, but this year because of the pandemic, is also disinfecting parking pay stations, bench railing and door handles.

The organization that represents downtown businesses has also been a hub for information for its members on dealing with safety around COVID-19, and has designed some templates for signage around physical distancing and reminding people not to put their bags on counters. There are also signs about payment methods, suggesting if you can pay by touchless means, it may be your best option.