Chaguanas supermarket takes common-sense covid19 approach

The management and staff of a Chaguanas supermarket have embarked on a "common-sense approach" to reduce the spread of the covid19 virus to protect not only themselves but also customers.

The Price Club Supermarket at Ramsaran Street has ramped up its hygiene initiative by installing four wash stations at the entrance and regular sanitisation of the compound.

Customers are taking full advantage of the stations, washing their hands to help to slow the pandemic.

Hasina Balkaran, who lives in California, said she is a regular customer. She congratulated the business for the "very good initiative" and encouraged other businesses to do likewise.

Another customer, Maureen Thomas, from Couva, commended the supermarket as she washed her hands before heading to the bakery area.

"It also helps with creating awareness. They are also giving tips of the do’s and don’t’s of the virus," Thomas said.

She was referring to nearby signs from the World Health Organisation and the Health Ministry on washing hands.

Many members of staff were wearing face masks. One said the initiative was a common-sense approach. The worker added that many customers are buying a lot of water, toilet paper and cleaning detergents.

Many customers told Newsday that they are taking as many precautionary measures as possible to prevent the spread.

At PriceSmart in La Romaine, there was a steady flow of customers, many of whom said they were doing their "normal shopping."

At La Romaine Health Centre, it was business as usual, but some patients wore masks.

A patient said, "That is just a precautionary measure. Everything is normal here."

The South-West Regional Health Authority, in a media release on Friday, said its customer service hotline (87-SWRHA) is not a covid19 national hotline. The customer hotline manages and accepts feedback on service delivery and challenges and improvement recommendations, it said.

SWRHA encourages people to visit their nearest health centres or its digital media platforms for additional information on the virus. People can also visit the Health Ministry’s website at www.health.gov.tt/covid19.

On Thursday, the Health Minister announced this country’s first case.

The ministry is urging the public to adhere to its infection prevention and control measures.