Salem announces the “Salem Together Pledge,” a shared commitment to health and safety
The City of Salem has released the “Salem Together Pledge” to promote the shared responsibility required to keep residents, employees, and visitors healthy as businesses begin to reopen after the shutdown caused by COVID-19. The Pledge states the commitment made by businesses to follow sector specific guidelines set out by the Massachusetts Reopening Task Force and asks customers and guests to commit personal safety recommendations.
The Commonwealth’s Reopening Guidelines provide extensive lists of requirements and mandatory protocols businesses must adopt to reopen. The Salem Together Pledge focuses on a shared commitment to 10 of the requirements that are common across industries. These include wearing a face covering or mask, practicing physical distancing, washing hands or using hand sanitizer before entering businesses, using contactless payment options when available, and staying home when sick. Businesses in different industries may have additional requirements in place, as well. The Salem Together Pledge does not replace the other requirements, it is a tool to clearly share the guidelines that apply to all business sectors.
“Working together to keep our community safe is key to the reopening of Salem,” Mayor Kim Driscoll said. “We know our residents and visitors are concerned about safety measures being put in place at businesses they want to visit, and we are aware of the importance of keeping employees safe and healthy. The Salem Together Pledge is a social contract that establishes a shared commitment to health for everyone who lives, works, and plays in Salem.”
The Salem Together Pledge toolkit includes flyers, posters, social media posts, and logos. It can be accessed, and components can be downloaded and printed in English and Spanish from salem.org/salemtogether.
The Salem Together Pledge is an initiative of the Salem Economic Recovery and Revitalization (EDRR) Task Force, one of several response teams that was convened by Mayor Driscoll in March to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on the City of Salem’s response to COVID-19, visit salem.com/together (for resources), salem.com/covid19 (for latest updates), and salem.com/COVIDbizassist (for business guidance). For a traveler FAQ regarding visiting Salem during COVID-19, visit salem.org/traveler-faq
Design of the Salem Together Pledge was done by Michelle Garcia for Creative Collective and the Salem EDRR Task Force.
About the EDRR Task Force
Mayor Kim Driscoll convened the Economic Development Recovery and Revitalization (EDRR) Task Force to focus on business and community support. The EDRR is made up of municipal staff, elected officials, and leaders in Salem's business and creative economy. If you have any questions or recommendations for the task force, please contact Kate Newhall-Smith at knewhallsmith@salem.com. Links to Salem small business assistance and past EDRR newsletters can be found at salem.com/COVIDbizassist.
