As the province lifts the travel ban to Manitoba’s north on Monday, June 1st — at least one northern fishing lodge feels that it’s too little, too late.
Carol MacLellan owns the Paradise Lodge in Flin Flon, alongside her husband Ken.
“Our first week that we’re open is usually 90% guests from Saskatchewan — we got zero because the travel ban was on.”
Carol tells CKDM her lodge has lost their most profitable part of the year, saying "May and June is the busiest time. Whatever you get [as a fishing lodge] in July and August is a bonus."
With Manitobans now cleared to visit campgrounds, lodges and resorts in the province’s north — Carol says people still need time to make travel arrangements, and worries her lodge might not see any business for another 2 or 3 weeks.
“Wait and see. That’s all we can do, is wait and see what happens."
The co-owner of the Flin Flon fishing lodge also feels the government fell short in communicating important information to their business during the travel ban, saying “we haven’t received any information from the government,” adding, “we have to find it ourselves. There’s been no written communication to us.”
As part of Phase Two of Manitoba’s reopening plan, travel north of the 53rd parallel from within Manitoba will be allowed. Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19, such as cold and flu symptoms, is advised to stay home.
“Basically what they’ve done is taken away our business for this year. We may get some — but at this point, who knows?”
