In the effort to stop COVID-19, many Bowen businesses have voluntarily closed, however some businesses are busy as ever providing essential services to our island population.
Bowen Island Municipality and the island’s grocery stores have put together a list of ways islanders can protect these essential services when getting necessities.
“Now more than ever, our local small businesses need your support,” said BIM in a press release. “So far, supply chains are good.”
Bowen’s grocery stores are implementing the provincial guidance to retail food and grocery stores, said the release.
BIM’s list of how to protect local grocery stores:
- If you’re sick, or self-isolating after travel, stay home. Do not shop in person. Artisan Express is offering a free delivery service (Monday to Friday) for people who are in these situations.
- Both the Ruddy Potato and the General Store are offering a pickup option. Consider this as an alternative to shopping in person.
- Don’t bring your own containers, reusable bags or boxes.
- Limit your frequency of shopping. Try to go only once or twice a week for essential items. See if your neighbours need anything picked up, this will reduce the number of people going out.
- Shop efficiently: make a list in advance and avoid browsing in the store longer than is needed.
- If you have it, use hand sanitizer before you enter the store. Avoid touching anything that you are not purchasing.
- When inside the store, maintain a distance of 2 m (6 feet) between you and others at all times. This is about two full arms’ length apart.
- Follow store staff instructions on how to line up and check out, and cooperate with them as they work to manage the number of people in the store.
- Try not to use your time in the store to socialize with other customers. Take your (physically distanced) chat outside to the fresh air.
- Take a moment to say thank you to the staff. Their jobs are stressful right now and they always appreciate a warm “hello, how are you?” A thank you goes a long way!
- Whenever possible, use a debit or credit card rather than cash. [The General Store is not accepting cash]
- If you have it, use hand sanitizer after you leave, and wash your hands well when you get home.
- Above all, be patient, be calm and be kind. Our workers are doing their best, and we are all working together to keep our community safe.
Hours: Snug Cove General Store is open 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.except for Tuesdays when it opens at noon. The Ruddy Potato is open 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
