Town of Creston launches community health initiative program
Posted in: News Item
Date Posted: 2020-12-10
Organization Name: Town of Creston
The Town of Creston has launched the Community Health Initiative Program (C.H.I.P.) in an effort to assist local businesses in their implementation of new Provincial Orders and direction while continuing to focus on the health of the community. The town will provide a 2021 business licence as well as an initial donation of signage, disposable masks, and hand sanitizer to any business who chooses to participate in the program.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge us as individuals and a community, we have seen so many people step up and show what strength and resilience looks like,” said Mayor Ron Toyota. “We know that our community takes the Provincial Health Officer’s Orders and directions seriously, and everyone is doing their part to support each other, as best as they can. As a council, one of the greatest actions that we can take is to support our businesses who have made significant changes to their businesses and business models for the betterment of our community.”
The Town of Creston’s Community Health Initiative Program will provide each participating business with Town of Creston branded signage indicating that masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces, as well as an initial donation of disposable masks and hand sanitizer to provide for customer use. Participation in the C.H.I.P. program is voluntary and open to any business in the Town of Creston. Each business wishing to participate will be required to sign a declaration advising of their participation, and will receive their 2021 Town of Creston business licence at no cost. C.H.I.P. will be in effect until December 31, 2021 or when, in accordance with Provincial Health guidance, the wearing of masks is no longer recommended or required in indoor public spaces.
The Town of Creston has launched the Community Health Initiative Program (C.H.I.P.) in an effort to assist local businesses in their implementation of new Provincial Orders and direction while continuing to focus on the health of the community.
“C.H.I.P. is designed to be inclusive to all community members,” said Michael Moore, Chief Administrative Officer. “We know that everyone has had to make considerable changes to their day to day lives to adapt to the Provincial Orders and directions. The wearing of masks in all indoor public spaces to protect ourselves and each other is particularly difficult to get used to, but we know that it in conjunction with washing our hands, maintaining physical distancing, and other preventative measures, it’s something small that we can all do. We hope that C.H.I.P. will encourage our community, especially those that may be experiencing challenges with complying with the Provincial Orders and directions, to recognize that we are stronger when we support each other,” he added.
All registered Town of Creston businesses can expect to receive an informational flyer and declaration letter that will need to be signed and returned to the town by January 31, 2021 to indicate their participation in the program in the upcoming weeks. Participating businesses are expected to prominently display signage at the front of their establishment, indicating that the wearing of masks and physical distancing is mandatory within the business.
“C.H.I.P. is one way that the Town of Creston can offset some of the costs of the pandemic response for our community,” Moore stated further. “Our intention is that any Town of Creston business – those with storefronts, home-based businesses, and those home service businesses – are able to participate and be recognized for their efforts to support their customers and our community as we continue to navigate this pandemic, together.”