ATB SAFETY STEPS FOR COVID-19
"You guys have the best protocols of anywhere in the whole City!"
(from a customer)
Updated January 2022
ATB remains dedicated to providing a safe space and experience for our customers, staff and community.
We have continued to consult medical and architectural design experts for leading health and safety approaches. We have many COVID—19 protections in place to provide safer shopping.
Welcome to ATB - a method of service for everyone
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Shop inside in a protected environment and view our fully stocked counters to make your selections. Since September 5 2020, we have welcomed customers back into the shop for counter service.
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The Around the Block Window Stop that was used at the shop door is on hold for the moment as we have ramped up our safety features inside the shop itself.
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We have improved our telephone system for ordering.
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We have added:
ATB online ordering
The shop online option is available 24/7 and allows customers to reduce the number of trips out of their homes. Most products are available - please call us if you don't see what you want.
Barriers protect customers and staff inside the shop
Protective tempered glass barriers now ring the customer area.
Although glass barriers are more expensive, they are much easier to keep clean than acrylic sheets, and are scratch resistant. We fix these "sneeze guards" to the counter tops with super-strong industrial glue. The glass panels were purchased from Centennial Glass here in Ottawa. We did all the installation work ourselves.
Customers and staff are required to wear masks inside.
This is an Ottawa Public Health legal mandate.
If you have forgotten your mask, we can provide you a disposable one for a small fee.
Customers are asked not to enter the store if they have COVID symptoms or are quarantined. Please call us for curbside pick-up.
Hand sanitizer stations for customers
Hand sanitizer is provided for you at the door and at the cash area. Please help yourself.
Physical distancing - limiting the number of people in the store
We limit the number of customers in the store at one time and post this number at the front door.
If having to wait for an order, customers are encouraged to practice physical distancing.
A safer "hands-free" shop door handle for customers
The outer shop door handle has been modified so that one can open it easily with a clothed forearm. Although the ATB version is made of metal, the design is inspired by a open-source handle developed by Materialize in Belgium for 3-D printing.
Improvements in how to pay
During the COVID-19 pandemic, payments for telephone and online orders will be by Debit or credit card. Cash is still accepted in the store.
Cleaning and hand washing
Stopping the spread of the COVID-19 virus involves lots of proper hand washing with soap and water.
Staff are educated on how to hand wash properly. We also use disposable gloves when cutting and handling meat.
Increased sanitization protocols
Counter-top, equipment and store hygiene has always been crucial at ATB. We have further increased the frequency of cleaning the store, including all counter-tops.
Appropriate use of masks by ATB staff
ATB supplies all staff with better N95 masks unless we cannot procure these. These masks have been shown to be more effective than cloth masks. Face shields are also available.
Physical distancing for farmers and suppliers
Thank you to these folks who work hard to get the products to us!
Physical distancing at the back door of the shop is also in place.
Those delivering our products do not enter the shop itself. Their goods are dropped off outside on a secure table and promptly cleaned and taken inside by ATB staff.
ATB staff have disposable gloves. Lots of hand washing here.
Airlock Service Window on hold
As noted above, there are now many safety improvements inside the store itself. We are very confident in these interior measures so we will not use the Airlock for now.
Our Window Stop Airlock
received local and national interest by print and online newspapers, radio and television media. For an example, see The Ottawa Citizen article by Blair Crawford
in the Ottawa Citizen,
May 8, 2020.
See article
3 WAYS
TO ORDER
Designed by Josh Wallace
BEDS, MArch
This service window fits into the shop's existing front door.
We appreciated the many 5-star reviews on Google (they also liked the products and service):
"... And, the pandemic protocols are the best!!! They protect their staff and the customers."
" ... The service we got was excellent and they are being very careful with their pick up system. Well done!
"... They also have a very clever setup to deal with Covid-19."
From inside
From outside
ATB is very appreciative of everyone's support.
We wish everyone the very best in this stressful time.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
AND OTHER WORKERS ON THE FRONT LINES
