According to the South Western health unit and the Chatham Kent health unit, we will be moving into the orange colour protocols for covid-19 set out by the province.
Details for St. Thomas can be found here: https://www.swpublichealth.ca/en/news/swph-region-moves-to-orange-restrict-zone.aspx
Details for Chatham-Kent can be found here: https://ckphu.com/covid-19/
Highlights from the Orange Zone include:
- Always stay home if you have symptoms, physically distance by staying two metres apart from people you do not live with, wear a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces, and avoid non-essential travel.
- Events and social gatherings in private homes, backyards, or parks (for example, barbeques) are limited to 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors.
- Organized public events and gatherings in staffed businesses and facilities (for example, event spaces) are limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
- Religious, wedding, and funeral services may operate at 30% capacity indoors or hold outdoor services of no more than 100 people.
- Restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments have a capacity limit of 50 people indoors and a maximum of 4 people per table.
- Sports and recreational fitness facilities have indoor capacity limits of 10 people per class or 50 people in areas with weights and exercise machines.
- Personal care services: services that require a guest to remove their mask or face covering are not permitted.
What does this mean for the barbershop?
- screening employees (use of the covid 19 Screening Tool for Workplaces)
- posting of signs at all entrances informing people how to screen themselves for covid 19 before entry
- limiting the capacity so guests can stay at least 2 metres apart
- having guests sign in for contact tracing (name and phone number at the front door)
- making sure anyone indoors wears a mask or face covering, including workers who have to come within 2 metres of anyone else (with some exceptions)
- making sure workers use personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects the eyes, nose and mouth when they must come within 2 metres of anyone who is not wearing a mask or face covering or separated by plexiglass
- cleaning and disinfecting high contact touched surfaces, such as equipment, washrooms, locker rooms, change rooms and showers frequently
- managing line ups to make sure customers are at least two metres apart wearing face coverings or masks
- NO BEARDS OR SHAVING AT THIS TIME