Businesses and industries across the province, country, and globe have had to change the way they operate over the last 8 months, with the food service industry facing seemingly ever-changing guidelines.

After a few months of 'lighter-restrictions' in Saskatchewan, November 16 saw bars and nightclubs no longer allowed to serve alcohol past 10 pm, with patrons not allowed to drink after 11 pm, all due to a sharp increase in provincial COVID-19 cases.

General Manager of Bugsy's Irish Pub and Smittys at the Town 'n' Country Mall, Mark Abbey.

"It [the new guidelines] kind of changes the whole aspect of our bar, but we're dealing with it and adapting to it. So far, we are just adapting to the changes as best as we can. Most customers have been pretty good, but we do get the odd person who is against the 'rule' part of it, but it's going better than expected."

Abbey says the changes come at a time when he was already starting to see a decline in customer numbers.

"Bugsy's and Smittys were a little bit slower after we first reopened, but then we started to gain some traction and things started to pick up to the same level as they were last year. Then lately here in November, it has started to slow down again."

Abbey says he believes mandatory masks and increased COVID-19 numbers in the province are to blame for fewer customers coming in the door.

He went on to say that their take-out service for both Bugsy's and Smittys has been doing relatively well though over the last number of months.