As businesses plan for reopening, we share this message from our Grey Highlands’ Public Utilities Department:
"Public Utilities staff would like to advise all businesses to run all their taps prior to reopening, especially if they have been vacant for the past few months. With the water sitting in the pipes undisturbed it can lead to decreased water quality and pose a potential health risk. The best practice would be to flush all taps until the water feels cold (about 5-10 minutes) just to make sure you are getting fresh water into the building."
Grey County has also compiled an extensive list of considerations for businesses that are in the process of reopening:
The Province has now fully entered Stage 1 of re-opening during the COVID-19 pandemic allowing some businesses to re-open, if they maintain strict safety protocols. The Province and Grey Bruce Public Health are working diligently to ensure businesses have the knowledge needed to keep employees and the public safe. When looking to re-open a business, owners should consult the sector guidelines recommended by the Province.
In general, the following guidelines may assist you:
- have a plan and supplies to keep all work surfaces and high touch areas clean;
- provide sanitizer or wash stations for staff and customers;
- control the number of people in the business premises and manage traffic flow to ensure social distancing of two meters;
- use cloth masks and face covers when physical distancing can’t be maintained (Public Health recommends non-medical cloth masks for the general public);
- provide signage that communicates to employees and customers health and safety protocols while in the store; and where possible,
- minimize contact with customers by continuing to offer and encourage online shopping, curbside delivery and contactless payment.
Complete sector guidelines can be found on the Province’s website, Ontario.ca.
These safety measures help keep everyone safe and build staff and consumer confidence. When businesses, staff, and the public feel safe and comfortable, the economy is proving to rebound faster in other countries. Businesses included in the Stage 1 category are reminded that reopening physical properties is not mandated. Businesses are encouraged to re-open when they feel comfortable providing a safe environment for both employees and customers.
Additional links to recovery resources:
- Retail Council of Canada – Recovery Playbooks
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Pandemic Preparedness for Business
- Recovery Readiness: A How-To Guide for Reopening Your Workplace
- Restaurants Canada – Rapid Recovery Guide
- Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association – Dine Safe: A Resource Site for Reopening and Creating Guest Confidence and Comfort
- Faith Community MoH Zoom Meeting
- Sector Reopening Personal Care Services
- Considerations for Choirs and Bands
- Grey Bruce Top Doctor Recommends Wearing Face Coverings
- A Framework for Reopening our Province: Stage 2
- Sector Reopening Photography, Film and Television
- Sector Reopening Shopping Malls and Centres
- Sector Reopening Tour and Guide Services
- Sector Reopening Restaurants and Bars
- Guidelines for the Personal Service Setting
- Video #4 Indicators for Reopening
- Video #5 Risk Reduction
- Screening in Public Settings (May 25)
- Communal Dining Considerations (May 27)
- Guidance for Libraries (May 22)
- COVID Spread on Items and Surfaces (May 26)
- GBHU Daily Situation Report
