What are the new coronavirus rules at B.C. clothing stores?
Posted June 1, 2020 2:00 pm.
Last Updated June 4, 2020 2:03 pm.
NEWS 1130 is working hard to get you the information you need about the COVID-19 pandemic.
When you have questions, NEWS 1130 Gets Answers.
Question:
Pushpinder asked: “What are new regulations for clothing and shoe stores? Will customers be allowed to try them on? Has any ban like that been announced?”
Answer:
Like most retailers in B.C., clothing and shoe stores have not been required to close during the pandemic but many temporarily shut down voluntarily.
Many stores that did close have reopened this month during the second phase of B.C.’s Restart Plan.
The plan includes guidelines for stores to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Install Plexiglass barriers at checkouts
- Reduce density of people in the store by limiting number of customers
- Clean high-touch surfaces regularly and provide hand sanitizer at the entrance
- Increase ventilation (opening doors and windows)
- Set clear rules and guidelines for staff and patrons to ensure physical distancing
- Urge or require staff and patrons to use personal protective equipment, such as masks
- Set clear rules barring anyone with cold or flu symptoms from entering the store. This includes creating sick day policies that allow staff to take a day off or work from home, if possible.
- Give more flexibility to high-risk employees (people who are over 60 or who have underlying health issues) to work from home or have more workplace accommodations
The guidelines do not specifically mention whether retailers should allow customers to try on clothes or shoes, but some stores have implemented new protocols, including closing changing rooms. If you want to know if your store of choice will let you try items on, you might want to contact them.
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