#StopVirus mode in action: what COVID-19 prevention measures have been taken in retail outlets of the Vitebsk region

Health is above all

Since the end of March, the central market of the Glubokskoye consumer society has suspended its operations. According to Inna Golub, Head of the Economics Department of the District Executive Committee, the decision to close was made by the headquarters established at the District Executive Committee to prevent the import and spread of coronavirus infection and was driven by the need to avoid crowds. This is a forced measure, and the restriction will be lifted once the epidemiological situation stabilizes. Requirements for the activities of other retail outlets have also been tightened.

– Sanitary epidemiologists and employees of the economics department visit stores daily to check compliance with prescribed protective measures, – notes Inna Valeryevna.

First of all, this concerns protective equipment for salespersons who come into contact with a large number of people. The availability of masks, disposable gloves, and hand sanitizers is important. Another requirement is for customers to maintain social distance. There are signs in prominent places at retail outlets reminding customers of this, as well as markings on the floor.

– I don't think these restrictions can cause discomfort or upset customers. On the contrary, they see that we want to organize work in the current conditions as correctly as possible, – says Kristina Yanukovich, manager of the "Domovoy" store of private enterprise "Volynets and K". – In accordance with the requirements, we have packaged dried fruits and nuts sold by weight. Previously, customers would scoop them into bags themselves, but now salespersons do it for them.

Gaining consumer trust is not easy, but it can be lost in an instant. Individual entrepreneurs and owners of private enterprises know this very well, so they try to do everything possible to ensure that visitors can find the necessary goods on the shelves and that the store is comfortable and safe.

– Customers trust us, – notes Larisa Vertinskaya, head of the Glubokoye branch of the Dokshitsy branch of the Vitebsk Regional Consumer Society. – We have three stores in the city, 21 in rural areas, and nine mobile stores. The requirements for all sellers are strict. Consumer demand has not changed much recently, but there are many more customers in rural areas. The fact is that earlier people hurried to the city for purchases, and now they prefer mobile stores. We bring many goods to order. We also sell masks and disinfectants. Sellers are provided with protective equipment, and regular disinfection of transport is carried out.

Demand Creates Supply

According to Lyudmila Svintsytskaya, head of the trade and services department of the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee, local economic entities have promptly responded to the recommendations and instructions of epidemiologists and controlling services, and have taken the necessary measures. About a thousand trade and service facilities have been inspected. First of all, specialists monitored places of mass attendance. The behavior of buyers and clients did not go unnoticed.

Observations show that most Novopolotsk residents understand the situation caused by the increase in respiratory diseases. Special markings at checkouts remind people of the need to adhere to social distancing principles. Masks can now be bought not only in pharmacies. They are sold in "Belsoyuzpechat" kiosks, construction and jewelry stores, state-owned and private retail outlets. In response to growing needs, mass production of protective equipment has been established in Novopolotsk. On average, about 10,000 masks and face coverings are sewn daily by OOO "LyubavaLYUKS", OAO "Novopolotskbyt", ChTPUP "Vershilovskiye", OOO "TsM-Grup," noted Oksana Kazak, head of the city executive committee's economics department.

– We produce cotton protective masks for adults, children, and preschoolers, – says Vyacheslav Malinovskiy, director of LyubavaLUX. – As part of sponsorship, 5% of this production was sent to healthcare facilities in Novopolotsk and Polotsk, to employees of government organizations and law enforcement agencies. We are receiving requests from other regions, but our primary focus is to meet the needs of Novopolotsk residents.

Has the number of customers decreased? For the answer to this question, we turned to Evgenia Lesnichenko, manager of Store No. 1 of Vestа OJSC in Novopolotsk.

– There is a slight decrease in foot traffic, – answers Evgenia Stepanovna, – but overall sales have increased. We serve about 5,000 customers daily, many of whom are elderly. We have not encountered panic buying of any goods. All products are available, including hand sanitizers and cleaning supplies. Masks are available at an affordable price. We are taking all measures to protect customers and staff from respiratory infections. Store visitors can wash their hands and use disinfectant. Products are packaged and portioned, and there are no complaints.

Taking Responsibility for Prevention

All preventive measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and acute respiratory infections have been taken in retail outlets in the Orsha district. This applies to both large chain supermarkets and small retail stores.

– We have marked a distance of 1.5 meters with yellow sticky tape to separate customers at the checkouts, – says Oksana Belskaya, a saleswoman at one of the largest Euroopt stores in Orsha. – But there are still people who ignore the distance. Then we make a remark and ask them to observe the precautionary measures.

All retail outlets have disinfectants at the entrance to the store, in the checkout areas, and where shopping carts are placed. Salespeople, cashiers, and administrators work in masks and gloves.

– All retail businesses regularly disinfect cash registers, counters, shelves, checkout areas, and shopping carts, – says Irina Martinovich, Head of the Trade and Services Department of the District Executive Committee. – The principle of social distancing is applied everywhere. This also applies to catering establishments – tables are placed no closer than 1.5 meters apart, and visitors are seated in different locations. Dining areas, tables, and bar counters are regularly disinfected. Establishments are fully equipped with hand sanitizers. Staff wear masks and gloves.

The operating hours of discos, nightclubs, bowling alleys, and billiard rooms have been reduced to 11:00 PM. Several private cafes in the city are supporting healthcare workers in Orsha and Barani with hot meals.

– It is forbidden to hold custom events in the canteens of industrial enterprises and educational institutions. All events in shopping and entertainment centers, children's stores, group presentations, tastings, and promotional campaigns have been postponed, – states Irina Martinovich.

The Head of the Trade and Services Department noted that the consumer market of the district is currently stable. All stores have sufficient stocks of products, and a full range of food and non-food items.

To monitor the implementation of all preventive measures, employees of the Orsha Zonal Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology conduct daily monitoring of retail outlets and catering establishments.

Minimize Risks

In the region's retail network, as explained by Yulia Khokhlova, Head of the Trade and Services Department of the Polotsk District Executive Committee, there is a sufficient stock of socially significant goods, and there are no problematic issues with suppliers; orders are fulfilled in full and on time. While a month ago some residents sought to stock up on certain products, the situation has now stabilized, and demand has normalized. The attention of all business entities of various forms of ownership is focused on expanding the product range of enterprises of the Vitebsk Concern "Meat and Dairy Products".

A number of non-food stores have reduced their operating hours by 1-2 hours due to decreased customer activity, and some have decided to temporarily close.

Increased attention, as noted by Yulia Khokhlova, is paid to ensuring rural retail outlets with food products and protective masks. The issue with the Ushachi branch of the Vitebsk Regional Consumer Union regarding the delivery of essential food products to elderly citizens has been addressed. Delivery is carried out by mobile shops to settlements, including upon additional requests.

District executive committee specialists constantly monitor compliance with safety measures. Inspections show that retail outlets maintain a mask regime, have antiseptics, staff work in gloves, there is distance marking in queues, and relevant announcements for customers are broadcast. Products in self-service areas are presented in consumer packaging or packaged by retail outlet employees.

The Green retail chain initiates charitable campaigns. For example, until April 30, there is an exclusive 20% discount on the entire bill for medical workers. A flash mob has been organized calling for purchases to be made in compliance with safety rules, documenting the process with photos and posting them on Instagram. A good initiative has appeared in the OMA LLC store, which has a "mobile checkout" where goods are ordered online, and delivery is carried out by the store's transport to the customer's home.

"Vitebskiye Vesti". Photos from open sources, illustrative in nature.