Interior Health clarifies: Should pet groomers still be open?

B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has made it very clear that hair, nail and all other beauty salons must close, but what about pet groomers?

We've heard from owners of several pet grooming businesses wondering if they should close or maintain their service if they can maintain physical distance from actual clients.

We checked with Interior Health which confirmed there's no specific reason to close them but the real question is whether their clients should be using them.

"Pet groomers can operate as long as they follow the stipulations set out by the provincial health officer,” Interior Health said in a statement. "Although there has been no orders issued for businesses such as dog grooming, we strongly recommend people stay home and avoid any non-essential services.”

To remain open, pet groomers, like any business or non-profit, must follow current orders including

• Excluding employees and customers who have travelled in the last 14 days
• Excluding employees and customers who are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19
• Not allowing people to congregate in groups
• Maintaining social distancing
• Cleaning and sanitizing common touched surfaces often
• Signage to remind people of the requirements, encourage good handwashing and respiratory hygiene
• Ensuring washrooms remain available for use, are cleaned/sanitized a couple of times a day, and are well stocked

To contact a reporter for this story, email Brie Welton or call (250) 819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.