Baker eases some restrictions for small businesses

BOSTON — It’s a big step forward for some retailers this week after Gov. Charlie Baker eased some restrictions for small businesses.

Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association in Massachusetts, says his group has been lobbying for these changes for weeks.

“We all know we’re still a few weeks away from actual openings,” said Hurst. “A lot of this is going to be step by step and this is an important step for the state to take.”

Under the new guidelines, non-essential businesses can start to operate with a few employees, while keeping their brick and mortar stores closed to customers. This will allow for more online and over-the-phone purchases and deliveries.

“It’s an important ability for these small businesses to serve the customer and of course to sell their inventory, inventory that they had bought thinking that they were going to be open on May 4, and we all know that didn’t happen,” said Hurst.

The restrictions still require all employees to wear face coverings and remain at least six feet away from each other at all times, but now they’ll be able to fulfill ‘no contact’ deliveries.

All employees will also need to make sure their temperature is less than 100 degrees before working.

“Now it’s clarified, it’s there in black and white, the owner of these shops can maybe have one, two three employees in there all socially distanced in a locked store to take these orders, whether it be by phone, internet, email and to process these goods,” said Hurst.

Hurst says it’s perfect timing for these changes with Mother’s Day a few days away.

“So now whether you’re a florist, a jeweler, an apparel store or a bookstore, you can go online to their website and order,” said Hurst.

“Order a floral arrangement or order a book and have it shipped to mom or have it delivered to mom’s front door step – all contact-less,” he said.

The number of employees allowed to work depends on the size of the business.

In a shop smaller than 10,000 square feet, only three employees would be allowed to work at one time, and if the facility is less than 30,000 square feet, you can have a maximum of five employees and so on.

This may be a small step for businesses, but Hurst says some work is better than none.

“So this gives them some hope, it gives them the ability to sell some of the goods to their customers over the internet or through a phone call and gives them a shot at a tomorrow,” said Hurst.

You can view the new guidelines here.

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RESOURCES:

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