Worcester Business Journal

14 Worcester Business Journal | August 3, 2020 | wbjournal.com T he coronavirus pandemic has forced Central Massachusetts business to take on new roles in preventing further spread of the disease, including enforcing mask-wearing in public and – at times – turning away would-be revenue-generating customers who don't abide by the mandate. roughout July and heading into August, the U.S was reporting a record number of coronavirus cases, largely in states who initially had lax social distancing requirements and face mask policies. Massachusetts, though, has kept its case count and death toll low since its initial surge in April and May, largely due to strict health regulations like a statewide face mask mandate, and has moved into the third of four phases in reopening its economy. In order to do their part to keep the economy open and avoid another pandemic-related shutdown, Central Massachusetts businesses said their customers and employees are largely abiding by their safety measures, although there are a few bad apples and the impact on revenue and expenses remains significant. "Quite frequently we get customers who do not want to wear a mask," said Erica Grinkis, owner of the Gazbar Sports Grill in Leominster. "ey tell us that it is not a law and that they should not have to wear it. We are forced to turn customers away who refuse to wear a mask. We have had to ask people to leave aer asking them to put a mask on multiple times when they get up from their table." Enforcing the rules Restaurants, which can now offer indoor and outdoor dining aer being limited to take-out and delivery during the shutdown, have to enforce regulations with guests and employees. Grinkis said she needs to protect immunocompromised employees and guests. Sanitizing stations have been included at the restaurant. If a Gazbar employee wants to come back aer being sick they must take a coronavirus test and prove with documentation they have tested negative for the virus. "We have masks available to purchase in the event that a customer doesn't have one," Grinkis said. "We also have to watch customers and make sure that they are putting their mask back on any time they get up from their table. As always, if a staff member is feeling sick, they are not to come into work." Mike Covino, the owner of Niche Hospitality Group in Worcester – including e Fix Burger Bar and Mezcal Tequila Cantina, both in Worcester – reiterates the rules are all about protecting employees and customers "e restaurants' staff workers wear masks throughout their shi," Covino said during a July webinar hosted by Worcester Business Journal. "Employees were given the option of not yet returning to work if they weren't comfortable with it." Employees undergo temperature checks at the start of every shi, and Niche spent what Covino described as a fortune on disinfectants. Niche customers have largely been understanding of the face mask requirement, he said. "It's a state mandate. It's not a Mike Covino mandate. I think it's pretty easy when it comes to that," he said. "We make a charitable assumption that they forgot it." Crust Artisan Bakeshop in Worcester is still limiting customers to takeout and enforcing social distancing due to the small size of the dining inside the business. "We're still not allowing customers to come into our space," Owner Alexis Kelleher said. "We have a table at the front door, and it's still just staff who are the only ones allowed to come in. We have people taking their orders either at the door, over the phone, or online, and then they can pick up their to-go bag at the front door." Investing in protections Families Together Adult Day Health Center in Leicester, which is a care center for disabled adults and seniors, has higher restrictions, which forced CEO and Founder Daniel Estevez to invest in new personal protective equipment to protect clients, and follow more precautions and restrictions than restaurants or other businesses. "We made a number of upgrades that were super costly to us," Estevez said. "Including having, at least a minimum, two-week supply of PPE equipment such as face masks, gloves, gowns, protective eyewear for personal care, as well as adding additional rooms to our facility to accommodate symptomatic clients, and new furniture to accommodate the sanitation needs, sanitation materials, and supplies, with at least a two week minimum. e list goes on." Estevez has increased daily testing and followed safety precautions to ensure a safe environment for employees and clients. "We are mandated to have our staff and clients checked everyday for fevers and symptoms of COVID-19 before they step into the building," Estevez said. "at is done every single day. e more familiar sets of rules, you're probably familiar with, obviously no one can come in without a mask, the social distancing is being applied, as well, at all times, as much as possible." Even businesses who aren't customer- based have adjusted their workplaces in similar ways. Betsy Landry, the director of human resources at Worcester law firm Mirick O'Connell, said these precautions include monitoring the temperatures of employees and frequent deep cleanings. "We have signage throughout the office on safety and hygiene protocols; and we maintain cleaning and contact tracing logs and monitor office capacity," Landry said. Landry said meeting with clients now includes new technological innovations, such as Zoom meetings and coronavirus resources on the law firm's internal intranet accessible to employees. "We are partnering with our clients to Central Mass. businesses are occasionally finding themselves at odds with customers who don't want to wear masks, as they still struggle for revenue in the pandemic F O C U S H O S P I T A L I T Y & T O U R I S M Enforcing the rules PHOTO/GRANT WELKER BY RILEY GARAND Worcester Business Journal Editorial Intern Customers at the Rota Spring Ice Cream stand in Sterling wear masks in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

• Cover