Your Co-op has come a long way since declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11th, 2020. After initially closing to set up an online order system, we have gradually opened up the shop. We are now operating near normal, and it’s easy to forget how far we’ve come. Here are just a few examples of what has changed:
- We have completed an entire shop refit to make social distancing possible for both staff and customers
- We have changed the way you access products, making less contact where possible
- Sanitising stations have been installed
- Staff all wear masks
- We have installed a COVID safe dishwasher to sanitise jars etc
- We have been accredited as a COVID Safe workplace
In other good news the the Food Authority in NSW (as well as the Federal body and the World Health Organisation) has reported that there is no evidence of foodborne transmission of COVID-19. As a result, our main focus around customer and staff safety is to ensure social distancing. One way we can do that is by managing the number of people in the shop. The second way is to encourage mask wearing.
Our staff are all wearing masks on shift at work. Whilst almost everyone would prefer not to wear a mask, we are following the recommendations from the Australian government. The outbreaks in Victoria and subsequent mandatory requirements to wear masks have shown the difference that can be made. In our little shop it’s sometimes hard to socially distance, as is the case with most supermarkets. For this reason we encourage all our customers to wear masks.
What can you do?
If you haven’t seen them already we are also selling masks. Our trusty volunteers have come to the fore and are busy sewing masks on a daily basis. Check in store regularly as we are stocking up on masks almost every day.
We understand that not everyone can wear a mask. But if you can, we’d really appreciate you wearing your masks in store so that we can create the safest possible shopping environment for all our customers.
And don’t forget to smile under your mask – we can tell! 🙂