At the start of March, there were virtually no active cases of COVID-19 in Estevan's subzone. By mid-April, there were nearly 100. While there have been some cautionary changes at local businesses, however, most haven't had to hit the panic button just yet. 

Because so many establishments were following COVID-19 protocols already, very little has changed going into a business now versus going into one two months ago except that there is considerably less snow on the ground on your way in. Rules and regulations for businesses haven't shifted much either. 

"Overall, I know there is a concern with the rising cases," said Estevan Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jackie Wall. "I have children in schools, so I've seen what happens there. I think there is concern. I think there are those who will determine that they will stay home even more, but I still see a lot of people out and shopping."

Curbside pickup and ordering online may increase as local cases do, but many people have been doing that throughout the pandemic. Some new businesses, meanwhile, have been opening their doors for the first time in recent weeks. 

"We're getting used to this, for lack of a better word," Wall said. "We're getting more confident in how COVID is transmitted and what we can do to protect ourselves and protect our staff and business people protecting our customers."

Many businesses are keeping up with changes that have helped keep cases in the Estevan area so low in the first place. Certain industries in particular have managed to find a sort of happy medium over the course of the last year.

"Restaurants are a great example of that," said Wall. "Not only do they keep their doors open but with more ideas to serve their customers. I think that's where this shift during COVID has really come. Business owners are looking at 'how can I serve customers?' And I think that's also grown into the new businesses opening up."

As of yesterday's update from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, there are 86 active cases of COVID-19 in the Estevan area. There were just two new active cases yesterday. The South East region as a whole has 242.