LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Greenhouse Grower's Council announced Monday Morning that retail greenhouses and garden centers all over the state are ready to open and operate safely, while protecting customers and Michigan workers from the coronavirus.
The council provided an action plan to Governor Gretchen Whitmer on how greenhouses and garden centers would safely operate, provide paychecks and meet the needs of consumers during the state’s health crisis.
”The threat and impact of COVID-19 is real, and we are not discounting that,” said Dave Mast of Andy Mast Greenhouses in Grand Rapids and president of the Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council. “We feel it is our responsibility to operate in a safe way upon reopening and that is why garden centers have taken carefully targeted steps to ensure safe operations, including changes to how we do business.”
Operational changes occuring in greenhouses to protect customers and workers include but are not limited to offering online shopping and call ahead orders, limiting the amount of customers near the register, sanitizing all carts, baskets and door handles, and hand sanitizer availbale at the checkout for consumers and staff.
“Spring is a critical time for our industry and the Michiganders we employ,” said Chris Schwartz of Schwartz Greenhouse in Romulus. “If we don’t get back to work soon, there will be a devastating impact to greenhouse and garden workers and their families.”
Businesses like Weesies Brothers Greenhouse in Montague has installed plexiglass enclosures at all checkouts to protect employees and the public, as well as spacing labels on the floor to encourage social distancing.
