Open for Business: What You Can Expect during Reopening

This week, Governor Steve Bullock announced that some state restrictions on the stay-at-home order will be lifted Monday, April 27. Many businesses can once again turn on their “open” signs as part of a three-phase plan to reopen the economy.

That doesn’t mean its business as usual for Missoula. Missoula City-County health officials kept some stringent regulations in place.

For all businesses, the Governor’s Directive requires that health assessments be done on employees, disinfection of high traffic areas, and that social distancing be maintained. Between guidance from local health authorities, state governments and the CDC, businesses have scrambled to make appropriate changes and re-design how their daily operations work.

If you have ventured out around town for groceries or gas, many of the changes can already been seen: plexiglass barriers at checkout lanes, banners advertising take-out and delivery food service, direction arrows limiting the flow of shoppers, and tape marks indicating the six feet of separation between shopping carts. But there is a lot of work happening behind the scenes and new changes happening daily. Just today, the Good Food Store announced that they will be requiring all customers to utilize face masks as well.

So what will shopping look like over the next couple weeks? We’ve talked to some local businesses about how their services have changed throughout these times and what you can expect as they resume more services.

Laci Rathbun, co-owner of Donation Warehouse says they have worked hard to continue offering a place for people to donate items and access to those who need affordable furniture and appliances, while making the entire process as safe as possible for customers, donors, and staff. “We have chosen to limit service to one customer group at a time, mostly by appointment. This gives us an opportunity to any surfaces that have been touched between groups and ensure plenty of social distancing.” In addition to following the regulations laid out by health officials, they are also working to install new register systems and a plexiglass barrier at the point of sale to help make purchases contact free while still offering curbside delivery and donation pick up.

Brianna Kroeker, who co-owns furniture and home decor store Lydia Rae, said she’s taking extra time to reopen, slating May 2 for their return to retail. The store will have shortened hours because store owners’ kids are still in school and to give extra time for their new disinfecting procedures. The store will continue to offer no contact curbside pickup if people prefer it. “We will also have online purchasing available soon for those who are just not ready to shop quite yet.”

Amongst the food scene, changes in operations have been immediate. At Baskin Robbins they now offer delivery, curbside takeout and have taken their sanitation standards above and beyond what is required. Hourly cleaning procedures, gloves and masks for staff, no seating, and posting informational signs to encourage social distancing are just some of the changes that have been made. Owner, Matt Loomis, says he has stressed the importance of maintaining the best hygiene and ensuring that customers and staff are comfortable.

At Missoula Massage Clinic, owner Michelle McClain is looking forward to working with her clients again during Phase 2, many of whom rely on massage therapy for chronic pain and injury rehabilitation. During the weeks she is closed, she is utilizing that time to disinfect and reconfigure the space, even installing “touch free” faucets in the restrooms. She has also implemented a number of changes to help keep herself and her customers safe for when she is accepting appointments including taking clients temperatures upon arrival, encouraging electronic payments, and wearing a mask that will be changed after each client.

Some dates to keep in mind:

April 27th: retail stores previously deemed “non-essential” may resume curbside and delivery services.

May 1st: retail stores may resume “in store” business with extra precautions and regulations as outlined by the Health Department..

Phase 2: Date to be determined, will allow restaurants, personal care, salons, massage and more to open with limitations.

For more information:

Missoula City-County Health Department’s orders “Requirements for Phase 1 Reopening in Missoula County”

Governor Bullock’s “Directive implementing Executive Orders 2-2020 and 3-2020”