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RTW & Bobby's set up handwashing stations for customers

- Bobby's make it mandatory
The convenient handwashing station set up for RiteWay customers at Pasea. Photo: VINO
The handwashing station at RiteWay is optional for customers. Photo: VINO
The handwashing station at RiteWay is optional for customers. Photo: VINO
The handwashing facility outside Bobby's Supermarket. Photo: VINO
The handwashing facility outside Bobby's Supermarket. Photo: VINO
Customers of Bobby's Supermarket line up to get their hands washed before gaining access to the store today, March 23, 2020. Photo: VINO
Customers of Bobby's Supermarket line up to get their hands washed before gaining access to the store today, March 23, 2020. Photo: VINO
PASEA ESTATE, Tortola, VI- As the importance of handwashing is emphasised globally as one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of Novel Coronovirus, at least two major supermarkets in the Virgin Islands have taken the initiative to set up handwashing stations for their customers.

Customers of Bobby's Supermarket in Road Town and RiteWay Food Markets in Pasea Estate can now utilise the handwashing stations strategically placed outside of the business establishments.

According to Chief Executive Officer of RiteWay Food Markets, Mr Guy Strictland, the use of the facility is optional but it is the hope that customers would heed the warnings of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and medical experts to wash their hands regularly to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

The handwash station at RTW is nearly equipped with a sink and two taps, liquid soap dispenser and paper towel dispenser, in addition to a waste basket. 

It is also possible that handwashing could be made mandatory for customers, Mr Strickland told Virgin Islands News Online.

He said a similar station will be provided for employees.

"We are going to put one at the back. We have over 100 persons working in our warehousing. They have washrooms but we are going to put one that is easily accessible for all employees at the back and all customers that are coming through our wholesale," Mr Strickland said.

Wash as you enter @ Bobby's

Meanwhile, Bobby's Supermarket has made it mandatory for customers to wash their hands before entering the establishment.

This was confirmed by the proprietor, Mr Elton S. Leonard.

Persons could be seen lining up to get their hands washed before entering the store.

There have been no confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus in the Virgin Islands; however, Government has been actively taking measures to prevent the introduction and spread of the virus in the Territory.

Measures have included closing all ports of entry to inbound passengers, closing of public and private schools, restricting gatherings and mandating businesses to close by 8:00pm.

14 Responses to “RTW & Bobby's set up handwashing stations for customers”

  • Smile (23/03/2020, 18:45) Like (49) Dislike (1) Reply
    I love this idea! Maybe this can stay even after this pandemic passes.
    • good (24/03/2020, 00:14) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Really impressive. Serious I like it....they should of put one at the airport as well. Outside just before enter in immigration.
  • Smile (23/03/2020, 18:45) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    I love this idea! Maybe this can stay even after this pandemic passes.
  • So (23/03/2020, 19:33) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    who will manage these hand washing areas dirty hands fiddling with the sanitisers
  • Hm. (23/03/2020, 19:50) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    They should of think on this year's ago
  • Yayyy (23/03/2020, 21:16) Like (39) Dislike (1) Reply
    Some people don't like the wash their hands, so I'm sure this is the only time some of them will get to wash them. I can never understand people who dont like to wash their hands, especially men....they use the bathroom and don't wash their hands. Round of applause for Bobby's and Rite Way for this.
  • question (23/03/2020, 21:39) Like (8) Dislike (11) Reply
    the supermarkets/various businesses are now being asked to operate from 6AM to 8PM) can we not catch this same virus between the hours of 6AM-8PM) or is this virus far more contagious after 8PM) because regular business hours use to be 7AM to 10PM & now (6AM-8PM) Is it government wants people off the streets at a given time


    • irie (24/03/2020, 03:23) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      What cannot be eliminated must be minimized you mental midget!!
    • wow (24/03/2020, 07:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

      @$&WIPE

    • Wellsah (24/03/2020, 08:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Stupidness could never and will never spell sense! I'm just as bad for wasting 10 seconds of my life I won't get back for reading such a tunnel-visioned statement.
  • Uncle (24/03/2020, 08:20) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    We are washing our hands outside these stores, OK. How do we know that the inside these stores are sanitized and cleaned??
  • My Take (24/03/2020, 08:51) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    They need to have the automatic dispensers and motion sensor taps that would begin to flow when you pass your hand underneath. I'm not in favour of having to press a dispenser for sanitizer that todo el mundo is also pressing.
  • Why Not (24/03/2020, 09:29) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Just have the sanitizer and a napkin, much quicker and easier.


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