From bra fittings to physio, it's business as unusual for stores and services reopening this week

Many businesses across the province will reopen their doors for the first time in weeks on Tuesday, but things will look drastically different for those that rely on close contact with customers. 

Phase 2 of B.C.'s COVID-19 restart plan goes into effect Tuesday, meaning non-essential businesses like restaurants, pubs, arts and cultural facilities, retail and health services can reopen. 

The province has issued industry-specific guidelines that businesses must meet before reopening in order to protect staff and customers.

At Forever Yours Lingerie in Langley, owner Sonya Perkins said the shopping experience won't look anything like it used to. 

"We specialize in bra fittings, which is, of course, a very close business," Perkins told CBC's The Early Edition.

"It's going to be very different."

Plexiglas barriers and mandatory masks

Perkins' store is booking appointments to ensure physical distancing and sanitation.

Staff and customers will be required to wear masks, the store has ramped up cleaning, and it has installed plexiglass barriers at the till, she said. If a customer tries something on and doesn't buy it, that item will be quarantined for 24 hours, she added. 

Perkins is also following guidelines from the Retail Council of Canada. It's going to create a different atmosphere in store, but she wants to ensure customers and staff are comfortable.

"I think things are going to change on the daily as new things come out about what needs to be done," she said.

Government subsidies, an online shopping system and curbside pickup has sustained her store so far during the pandemic, Perkins said.

Online services to stay

Online services are something Carol Kennedy said will continue at her physio clinic in Vancouver.

Returning to hands-on services at Treloar Physiotherapy Clinic might not be an option yet for some clients, including those who are older, immuno-compromised or who have multiple health issues, Kennedy said. 

The clinic implemented online services during the pandemic and, so far, it's gone extremely well, she said. 

"Physiotherapy is not just the hands-on part — that's a big component, but it's really multi-model," Kennedy said.

"Its manual therapy, exercise and education strategies to control pain, things like that. So two of the three can still be delivered really effectively online and there's also ways to teach patients to self-mobilize so you can get some of the benefits you would get from manual therapy as well."

For patients who are ready to return to the clinic, Kennedy said it has adopted guidelines set by the province and its regulatory college. Patients will first have to answer an emailed questionnaire before their appointment to screen for any COVID-19 symptoms.

When they arrive, there will be fewer staff in the clinic and increased cleaning measures. There will be plexiglass barriers at the front desk and one-way floor markers to keep people apart.

Because it's not possible to maintain distance when hands-on therapy is required, patients and physiotherapists will be asked to wear masks when those treatments are done in separate rooms.

The drastic change the pandemic has had on the way physiotherapists can operate has affected Kennedy's business, she says. She says she has used wage subsidies to keep staff on but is hoping for more details to come on rent relief.

For now, she's looking forward to a gradual return to a new normal. 

"We're very excited about it," she said.

"We're excited to get back in our space with our colleagues and welcome our patients back in person."