Good Morning Gloucester

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GLOUCESTER, Mass. (April 1, 2020) – Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and Public Health Director Karin Carroll would like to provide guidance and suggestions to residents about grocery shopping amid concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Yesterday, Governor Charlie Baker extended the “Stay at Home” advisory which encourages everyone to restrict social interactions to essential activities, such as getting food, medicine and gas until at least May 4.  Residents have called, emailed or messaged the Mayor about their worries around shopping, their shopping concerns and comments about their own shopping experience. 

Our supermarkets are providing an essential service to our community during this public health emergency.  We know for many going to the grocery store is one of the only times they leave their home.  Additionally, eating well is a crucial component of staying healthy, even if getting the food can be stressful.  The best way to protect yourself while shopping is to limit person-to-person contact by keeping a physical distance from other people and avoid touching things as much as possible.  

Mayor Romeo Theken said, “We appreciate all our local supermarkets and their commitment to this City.  Our sincere thanks to all those employees working to provide this service.  Let’s all be respectful of each other and the rules in place to ensure everyone’s safety.”      

Practices in Place at Gloucester stores 

We are in frequent contact with our supermarkets and are confident that our Gloucester stores are working in earnest to comply with social distancing guidelines, to maintain a high level of sanitation and to ensure employees hygiene. 

In Gloucester, all our supermarkets have implemented the following:

·         Markings at the registers to avoid crowding – please look for tape on the floors for social distance guidance at registers;

·         Wipes available to clean carts upon entry;

·         Constant cleaning through-out the day of high traffic and touch-point areas;

·         Special shopping hours for the senior and at risk community;

·         In-Store signage detailing the CDC’s safety measures;

·         Adjusted store hours for cleaning and stocking; and

·         Hand washing and hand sanitizing requirements of all staff. 

Shopping Guidance and Considerations

The Gloucester Health Department and the Mayor’s Office encourage the following regarding grocery shopping:

·         Minimize shopping trips and shop during off peak hours;

·         Plan ahead and consider delivery;

·         When possible, go alone to limit household exposure and reduce the number of people in stores;

·         Clean your shopping cart or basket – specifically the handles – with your own disinfectant wipes or wipes provided by the store;  

·         Make a paper list (the less you can touch personal items the better);

·         Respect quantity limits of select, high-demand items (like hand sanitizers and household cleaners) to help ensure more of your neighbors can find the products they need;

·         Please respect other customers and keep a 6′ distance; and

·         Please be patient.

Mayor Romeo Theken said, “We all have a responsibility to keep each other and our community safe.  Unfortunately, not everyone is going to be respectful of social distancing.  If you see a crowded aisle, skip it or wait for people to leave.”

Dedicated Shopping Hours

Market Basket, Shaw’s and Stop & Shop have implemented “High Risk and Senior Shopping Hours”.  

Dedicated shopping hours are: 

·         Market Basket hours are 6 a.m. – 7 a.m. daily.  

·         Shaw’s hours are 6 a.m. – 7 a.m. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday.  

·         Stop & Shop hours are 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. daily.

Residents over 70 years of age or anyone with underlying health conditions, who are considered at high-risk when exposed to COVID-19, should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible. We encourage our seniors and high-risk individuals to have family or friends go to the store for them.    

Mayor Romeo Theken said, “Please respect these dedicated shopping hours, which are meant to protect our community’s most vulnerable individuals who have no other option but to go to the store.”

Pick-Up/Delivery Options

If you can afford to, it’s best to order food online.  Delivery services dramatically reduce your contact with other people.  You pay online, items are packaged and the food is left outside your door.  Currently there are delays for many delivery services so plan ahead.   

Reusable Bags

As a reminder, reusable shopping bags have been banned for use at stores during the coronavirus outbreak and local bans on single-use plastic bags have been suspended.

Cape Ann Whale Watch has announced May 16 2020 as its updated season opening, a newly designated date to adapt to COVID concerns. You can check their webpage here or check their Facebook page for additional details. I am disappointed but I understand. Can’t wait to get back onboard for a whale watch!  42 years of great sails!

Sometimes I just crave some wings so we decided on the Hale St Tavern for takeout. Jim got fish and chips. Easy, yummy and very satisfying.

Savour Wine & Cheese APRIL 2nd Operations Policy Update To our loyal customers & new ones…Thank You for your continued support, shopping with us, & your trust in the hygienic precautions we have in place for our collective safety. Our plan is to remain open as usual, complying with city, state and federal guidance. To further enhance our hygienic initiative working to maintain a safe in-store shopping environment, minimizing risk, we require all customers wash their hands for 20-seconds, entering & leaving Savour. >Our two bathrooms, located next to our kitchen, are equipped with soaps, disposable paper towels, with doors remaining open. We hygienically wipe-down the washbasin with every use. >At reception/check out we have hand sanitizer and wipes for added hygiene >Please continue your in-store courtesy maintaining a 6-foot distance from other customers. >In addition to the hygienic wipe-down practices our team performs daily, we have increased the store-wide cleaning / disinfectant schedule of our local service vendor. >At check out, please read us your credit card information maintaining a 6-distance. Thank You Prioritizing our Free Delivery program to all Cape Ann communities. >For your convenience, peace of mind and a desire to limit social contact, we provide free delivery* Tuesday-Saturday, same or next day delivery. >We require a minimum order of $50**. including everything store-wide. >To maintain this free service focused first to meeting the needs of customers unable to / cannot & should not venture from home, we ask you to consider our curbside pickup program located directly behind Savour in our ample parking space. Ordering Curbside Pickup: efficient, easy… maintaining safety. >Call (978. 282.1455) or email (kathleen@savourwineandcheese.com) ahead to order during regular business hours, Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 6pm. >We have your wine, cheese, etc. purchase history in our database for review, & welcome making recommendations including wine pairings. >With your credit card information, we assemble your order, set a convenient time for your pickup. Arriving, just pop the trunk & we’ll place your order inside! >What to order? everything Savour … wine, beer, cheese, charcuterie, breads, our own fortified chicken bone broth, chocolate & more… Consider Savour Gift Certificates… for a recipient’s enjoyment now or later, a direct benefit to the continued operation of Savour. Thank You. *We require a person 21-yrs to receive an order. Please provide your recipient’s phone # to confirm delivery **For our customers who are able to forgo discounts, (case purchases & wine club members), Thank You. This option contributes to the funds necessary to maintain the Savour team during these challenging time. Visit our homepage – savourwineandcheese.com – for timely updates on everything Savour. As we adapt to this fluid “new normal” for our mutual well-being, our valued customer relationship inspires us to maintain & to enhance a shared, quality experience. -Thank you, Kathleen Morgan & the Savour team. SAVOUR WINE & CHEESE – 76 PROSPECT STREET, GLOUCESTER, MA – 978. 282. 1455

Lately I have been thinking about what social beings we are and realizing how much our connections mean to us. I guess this will be a while. Fiesta 1994

Jackie Bennett

From the Mass.gov COVID website:

BOSTON — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced several updates related to the COVID-19 outbreak including extending the non-essential business emergency order and guidance for Executive Branch employees until May 4. The Department of Public Health’s Stay-At-Home Advisory remains in effect. The Administration also updated the “COVID-19 Essential Services” categories for businesses and other organizations that provide essential services and workforces related to COVID-19 that are permitted to operate brick and mortar facilities during the emergency.

Essential Services Order: Governor Charlie Baker’s emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public will be extended until May 4. Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order. This order also prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people until May 4th.

Further details available here.

Great to see this long line of vehicles waiting to purchase fresh local fish!