NORTH AMERICA
Canada's National Critical Infrastructure Strategy, published by the Canadian Department of Public Security and Emergency Preparedness for Use in Times of Emergency or Crisis, has listed laundry services under its critical infrastructure. Critical infrastructure is defined as the processes, systems, facilities, technologies, networks, assets and services that are essential to Canada's health, safety or economic wellbeing and the effective functioning of the government.
Provincial governments that recognize laundry services as essential services (“critical to the maintenance of life, health, and basic social functions”) include Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan (the New Provinces Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island hasn't published a list yet.
Suppliers of laundry services such as equipment, textiles, chemicals and other products and services are also seen as essential suppliers for companies with critical infrastructure. TRSA is also communicating with the Mexican government to extend its name beyond the “laundry in healthcare” that is already considered essential.
The industry supplies, washes and maintains important, environmentally friendly, reusable textiles. While at home and on-site protection, as well as other executive orders that restrict normal business and movement, the term "critical / essential services" allows laundries to remain open to serve other businesses referred to as "essential", including the above pluses grocery, food processing, home and long-term care, public utilities (water and energy), first responders, laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturers and other basic supply chain companies.
"Members of TRSA, the association that represents the $ 40 billion North American linen, uniform, and facility services industry, are at the forefront of providing clean, clean, and responsive service to customers, employees, and the public safe environment, "said TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci.
"Despite this name and the crucial role of the textile services sector," said Ricci. “We see very different results than the effects of COVID-19. Healthcare companies operate at their normal pace due to delayed non-emergency care, but are prepared for an increase in demand as COVID-19 cases increase. In the meantime, these laundries serving restaurants and hotels fire workers. We expect sales to decrease by $ 10 billion in the next three months, which will result in the loss of 80,000 to 100,000 jobs. Without aggressive and immediate action from the federal government, many laundries will close their doors, permanently eliminating the providers of these essential services and leaving the country poorly prepared for recovery. "
“With our industry serving virtually all types of private and public sector organizations across the economy, most consumers benefit at least once a week from the hygiene and safety of the products we offer our customers. This underscores the need to view laundries as essential for sound public health policies, ”said Ricci.
