With the provincial government announcing that Saskatchewan will begin to re-open on May 4, it is getting applause from a lot of industries.

Public access will be restored to medical services during phase one of the plan and this includes physical therapists.

Jeremy Costley, a physical therapist and owner of the Highland Rehabilitation Centre, said it was tough being closed to the public.

“Quite frankly it is fantastic news for us. As a business owner the cost of not working are pretty significant,” Costley said.

“We still have a lease or rent and fixed costs that don’t go away, so to be able to get going again is really good news.”

When it comes to changes, Costley said he is still going over the guidelines he will have to follow when he re-opens.

He added that there will be no waiting room for patients. Anyone with an appointment must go straight into the treatment room. Once the patient has left, anything that was used by the patient must be disinfected.

When it comes to personal protection equipment, Costley will have to wear a mask and gloves while working.

He noted that one of the positives that came away from being closed was the use of virtual meetings.

“When we closed we actually worked quickly to get a telehealth option up and running and that’s what I’ve been doing for the past three weeks is basically seeing patients virtually and it actually been going really good. It’s been a new opportunity for us,” he said.

Costley went on to say that he had a lot of positive feedback from patients about virtual meetings because of its convenience.