News

July 24, 2020

Encouraging all Burlington Businesses to make the POST Promise as we head into Stage 3

This article first appeared on mariannemeedward.ca.

I’m encouraging all local businesses today to voluntarily make the POST (stands for People Outside Safely Together) Promise and take some steps to inspire customer confidence as Burlington enters Stage 3.

The measures listed at the bottom (and part of the POST Promise) will help get our local economy going again.

The POST Promise signifies a commitment to implement and practice the five key steps to workplace safety, helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It’s supported by many of the largest associations in Canada that represent thousands of businesses. The objective is to have businesses across the country take part in a collective solution to help Canadians confidently and safely take the first steps back into public spaces and the workplace.

The POST Promise is a self-declaration that a business is working to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Once completed, a business is provided with the necessary communication and implementation tools to educate employees on the five key steps to workplace safety, which were created to be consistent with what has been recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Businesses who make the promise will be able to use and prominently display the POST Promise logo that is a nationally-recognized symbol of a business’ commitment to doing their part to protect their customers’ and employees’ health and safety as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

Participating business can also purchase a kit that will include additional communication tools like window decals, posters and tent cards which can be used to further build awareness of their commitment within their place of business.

WHAT THE POST PROMISE IS:

The POST Promise is a training and education platform that results in a voluntary declaration from a business to its customers and employees. It’s a simple and easy way to show that a business is taking steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

WHAT IT’S NOT:

The POST Promise is NOT a “certification” or “approval” from any regulatory body. All businesses are still required to follow the laws and recommended guidelines from their local public health office and government bodies.

IT IS FOR THE COMMON GOOD:

The POST Promise is designed for businesses to train and educate their employees about the requirements of the platform, and to help consumers feel confident that a business is doing their part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Participating businesses will be provided with the POST Promise logo that is a clear way to show that they’re taking necessary precautions. The more businesses and workplaces that adopt the use of the POST Promise logo, the more recognizable it will become to the general public, thus increasing consumer confidence.

THE FIVE KEY STEPS/STATEMENTS TO WORKPLACE SAFETY:

  1. MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCING
    • Keeping a distance of at least 2 m/6 ft.
  2. STAY HOME IF UNWELL
    • Self-monitor for symptoms, such as cough, fever, difficulty breathing.
  3. PRACTISE RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE
    • Cough or sneeze into the bend of your arm, or wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible.
  4. CLEAN & DISINFECT REGULARLY
  5. WASH & SANITIZE HANDS
    • Wash hands for at least 20 seconds.

Toronto Mayor John Tory also recently released a number of recommended measures in a letter he sent to Premier Doug Ford. I endorse these recommendations and encourage our own local businesses to voluntarily follow them as added protective measures.

For more information about the POST Promise, please visit https://postpromise.com.

— Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

RELATED LINKS:

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PLEASE NOTE: To stay updated on what the City of Burlington is doing regarding COVID-19, please visit the dedicated pages burlington.ca/coronavirus (and subscribe) and bit.ly/mayormeedwardCOVID19updates, and our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page — bit.ly/COVID19BurlingtonFAQ that are updated as new information becomes available.

A Burlington COVID-19 Task Force has been created to help support our community through this unprecedented emergency — updates will be provided at burlington.ca/COVID19taskforce.

To report an incident of non-compliance with provincial emergency orders, please contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Hotline: 905-825-4722.

We’ve also created a dedicated page to feature the local organizations and businesses that have inspired us during the COVID-19 pandemic by taking action to support our community in new and creative ways — head to bit.ly/covidwallofinspiration.

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