By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The city over the weekend rolled out a voluntary COVID Conscious Business Program, as a way to recognize businesses “going above and beyond” in following precautions against the coronavirus.
“The intent is it’s a voluntary program and it’s a program that’s been successful in other communities,” said City Administrator John Leach. “This is a free program, it doesn’t cost the city anything, it’s just a way to show everybody you’re going above and beyond to create as safe of an environment as possible, for your customers and employees.”
The application is available on the city COVID information site, on cityofsitka.org.
Businesses can look at the application, to view the point system for each of the 18 questions. Businesses earning 85 points or more can earn the designation as a “COVID-Conscious Business.”
The minimum requirements for the certification include that the business or organization needs to provide goods, services or both to the community; and complete a “walk through” with a CCB coordinator.
“Our intent is to set people up for success so when they fully fill out the application, they will qualify,” said Amy Ainslie, resource unit manager for the city Emergency Operations Center. “It’s basically providing guidance.”
The business must also at a minimum have a “mandatory masking/face covering policy and signage for employees, customers and guests, as appropriate for your business type.”
Those who go through the process can receive a sign to place in the business window. The Chamber of Commerce and Visit Sitka helped design the logos and other visuals for the program.
Ainslie said a small city committee developed the program, adapting the one approved by the city of Valdez, and making it Sitka-specific.
While the Assembly has passed resolutions to encourage following precautions, the city has no “mask mandate,” after the former and current Assemblies rejected various proposals for public mask requirements. The city COVID page has recommendations for precautions under “red,” “orange” and “yellow” alert levels.
“We wanted to find ways to encourage people to follow best practices in a way that was positive and that was voluntary,” Ainslie said. “The three tenants are education, planning and prevention. We wanted to make sure we hit those three areas.”
The first requirement is a walk-through of the business with the city coordinator. The business submits a completed online application. If it qualifies, it will receive a certificate, and be recognized on a city website.
The list of requirements include various signs, as well as CDC mask education materials for employees (7 points), hand hygiene instructions displayed (4 points), supportive leave policies for employees to encourage them to stay home when sick (6 points), and free face masks and coverings for employees, customers and guests (8 points).
Businesses earning 85 out of 100 points available may earn the certification.
Ainslie said some businesses may already have many of the requirements in place. Others may need to enact new systems or policies, not already in place. Some of the questions send the business to a CDC or state Department of Health and Social Services website for help. And the representative from the CCB program can offer advice and guidance on the walk-through, Ainslie said.
The program has been in the works for weeks. Since launching over the weekend, Leach has received some negative comments.
“Early on, when we were building this, there was excitement,” Leach said. “Since this kicked off the only feedback I’ve gotten are (a few) people not happy with the program and feel like they’re going to be put at a disadvantage by not doing it.”
Ainslie said she’s hoping a number of businesses and organizations will see it as an opportunity to “follow best practices in a way that’s positive.”
Visit Sitka and the Chamber of Commerce have been helping the city with the project, including providing support to businesses, for resources.
“What we really want to do is support businesses as they create staffing procedures and mitigation plans,” said Rachel Roy, executive director of both organizations. “We really put a lot of effort into that.”
Those with questions can email covidconscious@cityofsitka.org.
