As local businesses reopen, it won’t be ‘business as usual’

NORTHEAST FLORIDA — It’ll be a “new normal” for the foreseeable future as businesses and organizations start preparing to welcome back the public.

While you’ll start to see more businesses slowly open back up, that doesn’t mean things will get back to normal. Local businesses are preparing to welcome you back but with major changes to prevent outbreaks.

You’re already seeing the new way of doing things around town. For example, with the dining room off-limits for sushi restaurant AKI7 on Kernan Boulevard, customers can only order at the counter separated by tall plexiglass.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has posted guidelines for businesses and organizations.

Including a “how-to” on making your plan to clean and disinfect.

Four Friends Fitness owner, Keena Lampkins, has been paying close attention to the CDC’s recommendations.

“Making sure I keep up with the clean practices, sending the message making sure the stations are replenished, cleaning products and things of that nature,” said Lampkins.

She also hired a professional cleaning company as an added protection.

In leaked draft guidance by the CDC, published by various outlets, the agency recommends that schools have students eat lunch in classrooms, urges churches to hold video streaming services as much as possible, wear face masks, and use a stationary collection box and encourages restaurants to use disposable menus and plates.

For Lampkins, taking the extra precautions goes a long way to building trust with her clientele.

“I want to demonstrate to them that I’m taking COVID-19 very seriously that this is a place that they can trust,” she said.

The leaked draft guidance could change before it’s officially announced by President Trump.

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