Photo Credit: Unsplash
As coronavirus cases climb around the state, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging people to do their holiday shopping online. By avoiding crowded indoor spaces, people reduce their risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.
However, online shopping is bad news for small businesses. Many of the locally owned businesses downtown don’t have websites or, if they do, don’t have online shopping platforms. They rely on in-person shopping in December to help get them through the leaner months of January and February.
If you shop in person, IDPH advises you to maintain social distancing guidelines, wear a mask, and use hand sanitizer when you leave each store.
Higher risk activities during the holiday season include shopping during big promotions such as Black Friday sales when crowds are much larger.
If children visit Santa, again, IDPH is recommending social distancing and mask-wearing.
Anyone with any symptoms, who may have come in contact with someone with the virus in the past 14 days, or is waiting for test results is advised not to shop in person.
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health
Comentários