Logan County health professionals and business leaders have begun drawing plans to safely reopen local retailers as quickly as possible next month once existing stay-at-home orders expire May 1.
An economic restart task force group is meeting regularly to develop ways that local businesses can re-open, while applying common sense social distancing practices to reduce the chances of a widespread coronavirus outbreak.
Calling an early-May opening “crucial,” for the health of local businesses, Logan County Chamber of Commerce President Ben Vollrath said Friday that larger retail businesses have demonstrated it’s possible to remain open for business and at the same time implement the kind of social distancing protocols necessary to curb any further spread of COVID-19.
“I believe that our smaller retailers that were forced to close can put in place the same measures, if not more, to be able to open for business, and do so safely,” he said.
It’s imperative that businesses re-open as many local shops are, “right on the edge,” Vollrath said.
Retailers providing goods and services will reopen sooner than bars and restaurants, Logan County Health Commissioner Boyd Hoddinott said Friday.
It’s likely that retailers seeking to re-open for business once the stay-at-home order is lifted will have to provide a summary and written floor plan for how it will adhere to social distancing protocols, according to conversations among economic task force members.
The group is also discussing strategies to buy personal protective equipment like gloves and masks in bulk to be used in local businesses.
“Instead of having our businesses compete against each other for these supplies, we’re talking about ways to purchase those items in bulk and lower the cost for everyone,” Vollrath said.
Installation of barriers where appropriate, as well as wearing masks and gloves, keeping six-feet of distance between individuals and limiting capacities are all examples of measures that will be implemented by businesses as they re-open, in conjunction with guidelines set forth by local and state health professionals.
Retailers and restaurants should be given the opportunity to demonstrate that they can both serve their customers and provide a safe environment for patrons and employees alike, Vollrath said.
Businesses around Indian Lake are special cases indeed, because of their heavy reliance on regional tourism and out-of-town business.
Representatives from the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce are actively participating in ongoing re-opening conversations. The biggest test for any business as it prepares to re-open is whether it can provide services to its customers while maintaining the highest level of safety possible — and that’s true for businesses from antique stores, to marinas and campgrounds, Dr. Hoddinott said.
Dr. Hoddinott said there’s an “emergency brake” in place just in case even a phased-in re-opening prompts an outbreak.
“People should know that things can shut back down just as quickly as they open back up,” he said.
Even as businesses gradually re-open, it’ll be some time before public places are the same again.
“It’s going to be a long time before people are sitting five across at the bar,” Dr. Hoddinott said