Saskatchewan retail stores to reopen May 19, 2020

UPDATE: Saskatchewan targets June 8 for further openings
With retail stores beginning to reopen this week, the Saskatchewan government has set June 8 as the targeted date for further reopening, including restaurants, gyms, childcare, and various personal services not presently permitted to operate. During Phase 3 indoor gatherings will increase to 15 people, while outdoor gatherings will increase to 30.  Find the most up-to-date version of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan at www.saskatchewan.ca/re-open. 

Premier Scott Moe has announced non-essential retail stores may open their doors to the pubic, beginning May 19, 2020.  

Stores must adhere to physical distancing measures and specific Clothing and Retail Store Guidelines and Grocery Store Guidelines, along with COVID-19 Workplace General Guidance Information.

The guidance listed below is targeted at all retail operators outside of grocery stores.

Recommendations for Store Operations

• Enhance the store’s sanitation plan and schedule. Check that the disinfectant used in the store is appropriate for elimination of viruses. Increase cleaning and disinfection of commonly contacted areas.
• Ensure staff are practicing proper hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing etiquette,
• Provide clean carry-out bags for purchased goods. Customers should be encouraged not to use their own containers, reusable bags or boxes.
• Post signs indicating that no customer packaging is to be used or placed on checkout counters.
• If bulk sales areas are being used (i.e. small accessories), ensure areas are cleaned and disinfected between uses or have staff dispense the items.
• If the retail operations include rentals, enhanced cleaning and disinfection must occur between all rentals.
• Customers should be encouraged to minimize touching merchandise. Post signs requesting them to only touch items they are interested in.
• Discourage the use of change rooms. If they are being used, ensure the surfaces are cleaned and disinfected between each use. Only allow 50 per cent occupancy (keeping every other change room vacant) to space out customers.

Discourage the exchange or return of goods. If goods are returned:

• When possible, clean and disinfect all surfaces of the merchandise; or
• If items cannot be cleaned and disinfected, isolate goods in a separate bin (labelled with return date) for at least 72 hours before being returned to store shelves. Employees must wash their hands after handling.

For thrift stores and other businesses selling second-hand goods:
Where possible, launder donated/used items and dry on the hottest setting possible. For items that cannot be laundered, clean and disinfect all surfaces or isolate items in a separate bin for at least 72 hours before placing on store shelves/racks. Employees must wash their hands after handling.

Where items are kept behind counters and provided to customers to try on and handle, such as jewelry and electronics:
Customers should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number) prior to handling the items. They should also avoid placing the items on or near their faces.

Place an alcohol-based hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number) in dispensers or soap and water hand washing stations near doors.

Promote physical distancing of customers:

• Offer and encourage online or telephone orders with delivery or pick-up services as alternatives to in-person shopping.
• Glove use is not required. If staff are using gloves, they should be changed after every interaction and when changing tasks. Hand hygiene must be performed between every glove change (hand sanitizer or hand washing with soap and water).
• Ask customers who arrive with cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms (fever, cough or breathing issues) to return home and use a delivery service instead.
• All workers, especially those in constant contact with the public, should self-monitor for symptoms and use the self-assessment tool available at saskatchewan.ca/COVID19.

For more information on this announcement, please contact John Graham, Director of Government Relations at jgraham@retailcouncil.org