COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 Update April 22 2020 Special Customer Bulletin Released
Dear Valued Clients
We have recently been able to secure a decision from our local MPP on whether the Government considers our Company Essential. We are excited to announce that we have been given the go ahead with the list of services below. You can expect to see our crews as soon Thursday April 23/2020. Property Maintenance Spring lawn and Garden Clean ups Pruning’s Grass and Garden Maintenance Power Sweeping Construction Remains Closed – We hope to have an update soon.
In order for us to return to work and keep or staff Health and Safe we have implemented the below. COVID 19 Specific Training Hand Washing Training Smaller Crew Sizes Staggered Start Times Mobile Hand Washing Stations for Crews Masks for Crews in transit Frequent Cleaning Protocols of Trucks, Equipment and Office Assigned tools to individual. [No sharing of tools] Maintaining Social Distancing Change in health reporting Portable Washrooms for Crews set up in our service areas Office is closed to public and limited to staff
We ask for your assistance in helping us keep or crews safe. We ask that any questions or concerns be directed to our office. Please don’t approach our crews. We ask that payments be made via E transfer or direct deposit.
We are in this together. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to getting back to work and hope to see everyone soon. From a distance that is.
Chris Howes, President
COVID-19 Update April 14 2020 Special Customer Bulletin Released
Dear Valued Clients and Partners,
The global COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all our families, our businesses, our communities and our way of life. First and foremost, our hearts go out to anyone who’s been impacted by the virus, either directly or indirectly. Our thoughts are especially for those who are sick, to whom we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery. Thank you to all the front-line workers in health care and essential services.
During this time, I wanted to reach out and update you on how we’re approaching the situation at Howes Your Yard Inc, in order to support the health and safety of our employees, clients, and valued partners. We have closed our office as an extra measure to keep our staff healthy and safe and equipped them to work remotely from home as required. We remain available to serve you by telephone, email, and video conferencing. The company has implemented a COVID-19 Health & Safety policy and training for our workers. Along with safe practices we have purchased PPE including; masks, gloves, mobile hand washing stations, hand sanitizer, etc.
SPRING 2020 The spring season is always the busiest time of the year for our industry and this year will not be different: clean-up from the past winter needs to be done, the grass will need to be cut, mulch will need to be installed, new trees will need to be planted and the list goes on. You may be wondering, “How is Howes Your Yard Inc going to do this with the COVID-19 situation?” Our Sales & Managers will continue to make site visits to provide outdoor solutions and complete proposals. Rather than entering your home or office to review the options, we’ll stay outside in the fresh air, keeping social distancing in mind, or we can review the proposals via Video Conferencing. Our Maintenance Teams will be conducting essential service only as directed by the Provincial and Municipal governments. This includes: - Site monitoring of conditions. - Clean up of hazardous conditions from winter operations. - Emergency repairs - Collection of garbage when necessary. Our company along with thousands of landscaping companies are lobbying the Provincial government for clarity through our association on whether the below items are deemed essential. - Spring Lawn and Garden Clean ups. - Weekly Lawn Maintenance - Garden Bed Maintenance - Aeration and Over-seeding - Fertilization - Weed Control (Non-Noxious weeds) We hope to receive an answer in the weeks to come. Please rest assured that even though we are currently only able to conduct essential work, we will be monitoring the work stoppage daily. Once we receive the green light, we will be out in full force to catch up. Landscape Construction Landscape Construction is currently on hold. We can finish any current projects to make them safe. We will be in contact with our customers to advise them of our new schedule once the province lifts the work stoppage.
Payments: We kindly urge all our customers to pay online or by e-transfer when possible. We are looking into electronic payment solutions for those that normally pay by check. This is to help prevent the spread of COVID-19
Contract Renewals: If you have been sent a contract for review and signature, we ask that you electronically sign and return to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
We are optimistic about getting started. We know that spending time outside is one of the healthiest (and recommended!) things we can be doing. We are fortunate at Howes Your Yard Inc to be able to do this every day, and we can’t wait to get started on your property this year! Our company will remain committed to providing services throughout these unique times and will keep you updated if any new restrictions or regulations impede how we perform services. Thank you for your ongoing trust in Howes Your Yard Inc.
We look forward to working with you. Chris Howes, President
COVID-19 Update March 24 2020
With the recent announcement from the Government of Ontario to close all nonessential services we want to reassure our current customers under Section 18 snow removal and maintenance is essential. While the health and safety of our customers and staff is our top priority we have implemented protocols to ensure we can continue to meet the expectations of customers, while keeping them and our employees protected. It is important we all do our part to limit the risk of COVID-19, during the next two weeks with the exception of snow and ice control; field staff and operations will be closed. Our office staff are working remotely and will continue to provide you the support you need. We will actively monitor the COVID-19 situation and advise accordingly. Thank you from all of us at Howes Your Yard