All businesses are following COVID-19 regulations, but some types of businesses are more closely regulated for COVID-19 compliance than others.
“The main challenge has been that the rules keep changing,” said Adrian Blachut, an owner of Zephyr Café on Cleveland Avenue.
Restaurants and cafés have always been held to high standards in B.C., but now during the COVID-19 pandemic those standards are even higher.
Pre-COVID-19, food establishments were subject to WorkSafe BC and FoodSafe standards and inspections, and now restaurants in Squamish must work alongside Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) as well, said Blachut.
For the most part Blachut said that their customers have worn their masks, but that “there’s always a couple,” who don’t.
“We’ve had our fair share of issues and complaints and people that think that what we are doing is unfair… [but] I’m not about to cut lines on food health so I’m not going to cut lines on customer health either,” said Blachut.
Another industry that has strict standards is that of gyms and fitness centres.
“We are all trying to work to stay open and do the best we can and have been very good with our COVID plan,” said Emma Beck, a manager at Anytime Fitness.
Beck said that ‘Everyone’s been really good,” about wearing masks in the facilities.
“I think most people view it as that they would rather wear the mask and be uncomfortable for a bit and have the gym open than argue too much and everything have to close,” said Beck.
Beck said that the fitness centre was last checked by WorkSafe BC in the summer, in late June or early July, and she said they “would be expecting a check at some point again because it’s been a few months.”
They also had to submit their COVID-19 safety plan to WorkSafe BC at their last inspection. They worked with them to make improvements and implement recommendations to their safety plan, said Beck.
Kerry Neil the executive director of the Squamish Downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA) said that “everyone has got their rules and regulations in place,” and that there is increased cleaning and social distancing implemented to keep their staff and customers safe.
Louise Walker, the executive director of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, said that the chamber also offers a dedicated part of their website with information available for businesses to help navigate them through these challenging times.
Their website has COVID-19 updates with resources connecting businesses to health care agencies, federal and provincial resources, financial support and guides and checklists that help businesses navigate the ever changing COVID-19 rules and regulations.
Not all businesses have to work alongside VCH, nor any other governmental body to approve COVID-19 safety plans and practices.
“Some business operators may be required to have stricter infection control measures in place to ensure they can continue to operate safely,” said VCH in an emailed statement.
“COVID-19 safety plans do not require approval by VCH or WorkSafe BC, unless they are requested in the course of an inspection.”
This is reflected by how some other types of businesses such, as retailers, have had no contact with WorkSafe BC or VCH in implementing their COVID-19 safety plans.
Kate Harvey, a manager at Pearl’s Value & Vintage, said though they have a robust safety plan, they haven’t had anyone come check, or approve, their COVID-19 safety measures that they have in place.
For the thrift store, the challenge is the imposition of the requirements as fall has turned to winter.
“The problem is the amount of people you are allowed in at one time,” said Harvey. “Sometimes lineups put people off — especially if it’s cold outside.”
Gillian Wadden, a manager at Random and Co, also said that they “struggle with capacity,” which is now capped at 10 people in the shop at a time.
Wadden said that they are “doing what makes the staff feel safest,” and that they had “implemented mandatory masks before the restrictions,” were put in place.
Some locals say the transition to tightened COVID-19 rules has been pretty seamless.
“We’ve found it pretty easy and everyone seems to cooperate. No problems so far,” said Adrian Arauz, a barber at Fresh Cuts Barber Shop.
Arauz said that they read the rules and regulations and follow them the best that they can.
“We definitely spread ourselves out, you know. Disinfect, [and] do what we got to do,” said Arauz.
Arauz said that “no one has really come by,” on his shifts to check for COVID-19 compliance nor has he heard of anybody coming by the shop while he has not been working.
“The risk of potential COVID-19 transmission may vary from business to business based on their operations and interactions with the public,” said VCH in an email.
For more information and resources, businesses can go to the Squamish Chamber of Commerce website athttps://www.squamishchamber.com/resources-tools/covid-19/.
How has the pandemic impacted your business? Are customers following the rules for the most part? Let us know with a letter to the editor: [email protected].
