‘We are still trying to be safe’
Safety guide to reopening issued by Cape Breton business organizations
SYDNEY — A reminder to apply sanitizer is now part of the friendly greeting at Spinner’s Men’s Wear Charlotte Street. A quick spray of disinfectant to the door handle and other parts of the shop comes after goodbyes are said.
It’s all part of the new way of doing business in the wake of COVID-19 precautions.
“We can only do so much but we are trying to make it a happy event, try to keep it light and yet we are still trying to be safe,” said Scott Macvicar, the shop owner.
“It’s like anything when you are driving a bicycle, driving a car, you try to know that, ‘hey we could have a problem if we don’t adhere to the safety issues.' It’s just common sense, I can’t say that enough.”
Plexiglas at the cash register, social distancing and customer limits are also part of current safety precautions.
Macvicar is also consulting the "Reopening Cape Breton’s Economy: A Guide for Businesses and Organizations" guide that was released recently as he outlines even more safety measures for the clothing store.
The extensive document is a joint project of the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Cape Breton Partnership, Cape Breton Regional Municipality and the Sydney Downtown Development Association that includes a "defined and detailed approach" for businesses and organizations to safely reopen.
“I think what the majority of people would know quite easily would be the distancing and the handwashing. I think that has been communicated pretty clearly from all levels of government,” said Michelle Wilson, executive director of the Sydney Downtown Development Association.
“A lot of the finer details would maybe not necessarily be as obvious to the average business owner who has a lot on their plate right now.”
The comprehensive guide can assist in developing and updating a health and safety plan, developing a communications plan for employees, customers and suppliers and creating a workforce strategy.
While all business owners now realize the importance of handwashing and sanitization, signage and social distancing measures, Wilson said some don’t yet realize they now need these plans in place.
“The big things are easy and obvious, but it’s the little things that you might not think of that we wanted to make sure people were clear on.”
Checklists, resources and relevant contact information to assist with each phase of a reopening plan are included in the guide, as well.
Reopening Cape Breton's Economy: A Guide for Businesses & Organizations will be made available on the website of each of the four organizations that helped to create it and shared via social media channels.
Macvicar plans to consult it even further as his safety precautions continue to develop. An early form of his safety measures is now available to customers, while a more detailed and formal document will be ready for study shortly.