More than 200 local businesses and organizations have signed the Champaign County Safe pledge developed by local cities and organizations, and the list continues to grow each day.
The Champaign County Safe pledge sets out expectations customers can have when visiting local businesses, as it relates to safety precautions being taken by employees, management and customers.
The public can review the list online; those businesses who sign the pledge are encouraged to post the pledge in their windows or other visible location.
Those expectations include:
• Employees wearing masks
• Employees frequently washing their hands
• Surfaces, equipment, and other elements of the business are regularly cleaned and sanitized
• Social distancing measures are in place
As the State of Illinois goes into Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan, and more businesses reopen (more on that here), the pledge is one way that the public can vet how various businesses – from restaurant to retail to service providers – are approaching the current situation.
“People are being very cautious,” said Julie Pryde, Champaign Urbana Public Health District director, on Thursday. “That’s a good thing. A gradual reopening is going to be much easier to manage. There’s some hope out there and there’s relief. Part of the community is very excited to have a few more options.”
Customers can find the list of businesses and organizations that have signed the pledge at champaigncountysafe.org.
Businesses are still able to sign up, so check back frequently.
The site was “developed to maintain the safety and well-being of communities and to share information and resources with businesses in Champaign County,” said its organizers.
Own a business? There’s still time to commit to the Champaign County Safe Pledge; an average of 20-30 have added daily since the site debuted.
Businesses can complete the pledge online and upon review, will be added to the comprehensive list of pledged businesses that the public can review.
The site also serves as a hub for Champaign County businesses to access resources, including re-opening guidelines, sample signage, PPE suppliers, local cleaning companies, local printers and more.
As guidelines continue to evolve, organizers say the the site and all its resources will be updated on a regular basis as more information is shared by the state of Illinois, Centers for Disease Control, Illinois Department of Public Health, and Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.