Home Hardware employees test positive for COVID-19

By Steve Hubrecht
[email protected]

In the past week, two Home Hardware employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Those employees are isolating, and all other store employees who work in close proximity to those who tested positive have been screened for the virus and have tested negative. The store owner contacted local health authorities, Interior Health and WorkSafeBC, and on their advice is continuing to stay open, with its pandemic protocols in place.

Home Hardware owner and Invermere mayor Al Miller told the Pioneer the first case came on Saturday, Jan. 23, when one employee tested positive. “So we immediately called WorkSafeBC and Interior Health. We want safety for our employees and safety for our customers,” said Miller. The organizations quizzed Miller in depth on the protocols and practices Home Hardware uses, and determined that the store’s protocols actually surpass provincial health guidelines for the pandemic.

Home Hardware owner and Invermere mayor Al Miller

“We were told to carry on,” said Miller.

On Monday, Jan. 25, a second employee tested positive for COVID-19, so Miller again contacted the same agencies.

“If they can, they will put contact tracers on the situation,” said Miller. “But from what I gather, the contact tracers are extremely busy in the Lower Mainland right now. So we made the decision as a company that we would take it upon ourselves to do the tracing.”

Home Hardware talked with its staff, finding out who had worked in close proximity to the employees who tested positive. All employees who were in close proximity got the COVID-19 test on Tuesday, Jan. 26. On Wednesday, Jan. 27, results came back, and all were negative.

“So we’ve had two cases, and at this point, that’s all we’ve had,” said Miller. “We’re getting the message out. We’ve put up signs in the store and put a post on Facebook. We’re being as transparent as possible.”

Miller checked yet again with WorkSafeBC and Interior Health on whether he should close Home Hardware.

“They has said if we had had what they call a total outbreak, yes. But we had just the two cases and everybody else was negative. They told us we are doing everything fine in terms of protocols, and that if we close the store it wouldn’t serve a purpose, and we would just be putting people off of work,” said Miller. “I’m very proud of our staff, our company, for acting quickly and doing the right thing.”