Castleisland: ready to embrace the ‘new normal’
THE Chamber would like to thank all the Castleisland people who have served in the front line in the fight against COVID-19 – doctors, nurses, care staff, hospital and clinic service staff, ambulance staff and the many more people who have given dedicated service, at no little risk to their own health, to keep us all as safe as possible in these difficult times.
In our own town, we also salute the people who have been keeping the supermarkets, take-away restaurants, service stations and pharmacies, and other essential service support businesses operating, in a very professional way, enabling the remainder of the population to operate essential businesses, or to stay healthy and safe in their homes.
Special thanks to our Parish Priest, Fr Mossy, and to Joan, and Deacon Thady, and to Noreen, and Nora in the Parish
Office. The online church services, and the messaging of Fr Mossy has been an enormous support to everyone.
From a business point of view, the message is that Castleisland is returning to ‘ the new normal’, following closely the guidance from the HSE, and the government. May 18 saw a welcome return of many of our retailers and the building trade, supported by our builder providers and hardware outlets.
We look forward to the Fashion Capital, and full-service coffee shops, restaurants, delicatessens and fast food outlets re-opening their doors on June 8th, and hopefully the remainder of businesses and hospitality service providers returning ahead of schedule in June, July, and August.
The new normal will be a mix of online/phone/email ordering/appointment/reservation (with collection/delivery arrangements) along with the usual drop in for personal service option for which Castleisland is renowned. Many of our businesses have also invested in online ecommerce facilities to meet the changing world we live in.
Castleisland has always traded on its reputation for quality, value, and choice and of course the best customer service in Ireland – that guarantee will not change. But for the foreseeable future it will be delivered with complete adherence to health and safety protocol: social distancing, hand sanitisation, and respiratory etiquette – for both staff and customers - and that’s another guarantee.
Michael John Kearney, Chairperson of Castleisland Chamber Alliance
AS more businesses start to reopen under the government’s phasing strategy, a coordinated sanitation effort between businesses, employees and customers will be key to a successful return to economic activity.
Right now, businesses are leaving nothing to chance in their preparations: hand sanitizer, face masks, gloves, social distancing markings on floors, information signs, etc., These are all important requirements for the resumption of trading as it gives confidence to consumers knowing they are shopping in a place committed to implementing effective sanitation rules.
But there is also a requirement/responsibility on the consumer. Having a ‘one-way’ sanitation policy, so to speak, doesn’t work unless everyone buys into the concept for the safety of staff and fellow customers.
For example, consumers need to adopt effective hygiene habits in what is a totally different environment to that which existed pre- COVID-19. Carelessly coughing and sneezing in public is no longer acceptable. Hand hygiene is equally necessary when shopping and socialising.
Washing hands regularly and using hand sanitizer – and not wearing gloves for multiple use – is the advice. In short: if you plan on shopping, please implement good hygiene habits, which will complement the effort already made by local businesses to make your shopping experience a safe one.
The ‘we’re in this together’ slogan was popular throughout the pandemic. But the same ‘we’re in it together’ approach is needed if we’re to kick start our local economy, industry and hospitality sectors. It’s incumbent on all of us that good, safe and effective hygiene habits become the norm.