Federal government partners with private sector on program to inspire public confidence in reopening

The federal government is partnering with the private sector on the POST (People Outside Safely Together) promise program, an initiative that calls on businesses to commit to 5 key public health measures to help protect customers and employees.

The measures include maintaining physical distance, washing and sanitizing hands, keeping workplaces clean and disinfected, staying home if unwell, and practicing respiratory etiquette, including wearing a mask when recommended.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement during a tour of an Ottawa business. He encouraged all business owners — including boutiques, restaurants, and tech startups — to sign up at postpromise.com.

“Together, we can keep people safe. And together we can give Canadians the confidence that’s needed to restart our economy,” said Trudeau

“With this initiative and others we’re making progress, that said there’s still more to do.”

The POST program is a voluntary training and education platform intended to be a way for businesses to show they are taking steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Organizations representing 100,000 businesses are taking part. Participants will be able to display the POST logo. It is not a certification, so businesses are encouraged to follow local guidelines.

“Public confidence is essential to a successful economic restart,” said Goldy Hyder, President and CEO of the Business Council of Canada (BCC), which helped spearhead the initiative.

“By following the advice of health officials and actively committing ourselves to the fight against COVID-19, we can reassure Canadians that business owners and managers are working to mitigate risk and get the economy moving again.”

There is no charge to participate, but additional marketing materials can be purchased.

Besides BCC, founding sponsors include the Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA Canada), the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the Canadian Global Cities Council, the Retail Council of Canada, Restaurants Canada, Medcan, and SALT XC.

Jessy Bains is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jessysbains.

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