The City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Board of Trade have joined Canada’s largest chambers of commerce, national business organizations such as the Business Council of Canada and the federal government to support responsible businesses and help them declare their commitment to stopping the spread of COVID-19.
The POST (People Outside Safely Together) Promise is a national, bilingual private sector-led initiative designed to help Canadians confidently and safely shop and work in local businesses while we are living with COVID-19.
Any business that is working hard to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 can “make the promise.” Then they are provided with the communication and implementation tools needed to educate employees on the five key steps to workplace safety, which were created to be consistent with recommendations by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
The five key steps:
- Encourage vaccination: Businesses that make the POST Promise commit to encouraging employees to get both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine when eligible.
- Physical distance when required: Businesses that make the POST Promise commit to implementing physical distance requirements in accordance with local mandates and protocols.
- Wear a face covering when required: Businesses that make the POST Promise commit to following face-covering requirements for both employees and customers in accordance with local mandates and protocols.
- Cleaning and preventive measures: Businesses that make the POST Promise commit to the daily cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, ensuring proper ventilation at their workplace and having employees and customers properly and regularly wash/sanitize hands.
- Screen for COVID-19: Businesses that make the POST Promise commit to regular screening of employees and customers, having staff stay home when unwell with COVID-19 symptoms and consider the implementation of rapid testing when appropriate.
Business benefits
Businesses who make the promise are then able to use and display the POST Promise logo, which acts as a clear indication to employees and customers that they are doing their part to protect our health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The POST Promise brings together businesses across all industries to implement a common approach which is then communicated by a consistent visual cue.
What the POST Promise is
The POST Promise is a national effort to help raise and restore consumer confidence. Participating businesses voluntarily commit to following the steps needed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. There is no cost to make the POST Promise and it was specifically designed to complement what businesses are already doing.
What the POST Promise is not
The POST Promise is not a “certification” or “approval” from any regulatory body. All businesses are still required to follow the laws and recommended guidelines from their local public health office and government bodies.
A united front for Ottawa and Canada
The POST Promise brings together all businesses across industries to implement a common approach to help keep us all safe during the pandemic. When people see the POST Promise logo, they can have confidence that a business is doing what it can to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The more businesses and workplaces that adopt the use of the POST Promise logo, the more recognizable it will become to the public, thus increasing consumer confidence.
The POST Promise in Ottawa
Consumer and employee confidence has been identified by Ottawa’s business and community leaders as a top issue to be addressed in our economic recovery and rebound plan. Thank you to all our local and national economic partners for supporting this important initiative.
Special thanks to the City of Ottawa who have acquired 1,000 kits for local businesses eager to make the promise and contribute to the growth of our community. Visit www.ottawabot.ca for information on how to get your kit. Special thanks to the Ottawa Coalition of BIAs and Invest Ottawa for your ongoing partnership and willingness to support The POST Promise.
About the Ottawa Board of Trade
The Ottawa Board of Trade is a non-profit, non-partisan business association dedicated to community prosperity through advocacy, collaboration, and economic development. Since the beginning of COVID-19 we have advocated strongly for all businesses. Ottawa businesses are invited to join us as a member to be heard. We help entrepreneurs and owners to network for growth. Join us today!
Sueling Ching is the president and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade.
