Personal/self-care establishments see the Green light

Now that the CNMI is under Level Green, personal or self-care establishments like Brabu Pharmacy, Gold’s Gym, Natural Nail Spa, and Latte Gym are seeing this as a green light to expand the services they offer while still remaining vigilant when it comes to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Brabu Pharmacy is located on Middle Road in Gualo Rai. (Bea Cabrera)

BRABU PHARMACY LLC
According to Kanani Lee of Brabu Pharmacy LLC, they remain focused in their mission to provide medication and life-enhancing services. “Under Level Green, we will continue to promote hygiene and safety to avoid any rise in community transmission.” This means Brabu Pharmacy will continue to mandate masks and hand sanitizer use in all three locations—Gualo Rai, Kagman, and Mariana Heights, she said.

Lee said that part of Brabu’s service to the community is they currently offer onsite vaccination for patients filling a vaccine prescription. “This is available at our main branch in Gualo Rai. …Currently, we are in the process of becoming a COVID-19 vaccination site as well. Brabu Pharmacy’s key role in the community is to provide safe, efficient medication and pharmaceutical services to the members of the CNMI, even as we ascend to Level Green.”

“We have been in full operation since the pandemic was declared in the U.S. in March of 2020 and we must not forget the reason we are still safe here in the CNMI—please continue to prevent community transmission by getting vaccinated, wear a mask in public spaces, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. Stay Brabu (healthy or active ) and make great decisions for your overall health and safety,” Lee added.

Gold’s Gym in China Town. (Krizel Tuazon)

GOLD’S GYM SAIPAN
Under Level Green, Gold’s Gym Saipan will continue to conduct temperature checks and require people to wear masks, except when a person is fully vaccinated. In that case, wearing a mask is no longer needed; just present your COVID-19 vaccination card at the reception desk.

According to general manager Tyce Mister, this new level complement their mission, which is to “help people achieve their potential through fitness.”

“I think exercise is always important for part of a balanced healthy lifestyle. However, during the pandemic, it’s even more important as exercise and a healthy lifestyle can help boost the immune system. …Since going green, many of our members have verified their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards and are enjoying their workouts mask free. …For those members that have chosen not to get vaccinated we appreciate their continued cooperation in wearing their masks and social distancing,” he said.

“Our long-term members inspire me by their dedication and perseverance in making fitness a priority throughout this whole pandemic…and we keep our health and safety protocols in place. …Members use disinfectant to clean their equipment as we have always done. Additionally, we are continuing with nightly sanitation after closing using our electrostatic sprayer,” he added.

Natural Nail Spa is located across Bank of Hawaii on Middle Road. (Contributed Photo)

Natural Nail Spa
According to Natural Nail Spa owner Rhea Backe, Level Green is a signal that the CNMI community is entering into some form of normalcy. “Which is an opportunity for us to operate our business at ease ….At Natural Nail Spa, we will continue our safety efforts that includes sanitizing and wearing a mask to ensure everyone is safe. We still require our employees to wear a mask when providing services. Customers are recommended to wear a mask as well. However, we will trust our clients if they opt not wear a mask, especially if they’re vaccinated and has no fever,” she said.

“Good hygiene is at the top of our list. Even before the pandemic, Natural Nail Spa was already providing a clean, safe, and relaxing environment. We have a daily and weekly routine to sanitize our equipment [and] surfaces and we monitor our facility to protect our customers and ensure that our employees work in a safe environment,” she added.

Backe said they welcome both vaccinated and unvaccinated customers. “For unvaccinated clients, I’m sure they’re not ready to take the risk, but for those who have received the vaccine, they may be comfortable being out in the open. We are accommodating at 100% capacity but we prefer clients to make an appointment in advance, especially on holiday and weekends. We still take customer’s temperatures and have them sign-in as well.”

“Part of our services is to provide self-care and beauty maintenance. Self-care is so important because it boosts our self-esteem and lowers our risk of catching a disease. …Whether you need a new look, [indulge in] ‘me’ time, or for any reason to relax, Natural Nail Spa is here for you,” she added

Natural Nail Spa is located across Bank of Hawaii on Middle Road, Gualo Rai.

Latte Built Gym is open 24/7 with branches in Oleai and Kagman. (Contributed Photo)

LATTE BUILT GYM
Level Green means going back to business as usual for Latte Built Gym, which has branches in Oleai and Kagman, according to owner Derek Cutting.

“We will begin to grow back the membership we had pre-COVID19. …We are not changing much because we would rather be overly sanitized than have a potential issue. We will still require individual spray bottles (full of disinfectant) and individual rags to wipe down equipment after use. Our staff will still mass sanitize our facilities multiple times per day and will still require temperature checks upon entry,” he said.

“The changes that I think most members want, however, are the freedom to train without a mask on. …Members can now show us their vaccination cards and will no longer need to wear a mask while training. Those who have not been vaccinated will still need to wear a mask and all will still need to [maintain] social distancing parameters,” he added.

Latte Buily Gym adheres to 100% capacity that is allowed under Level Green. “…The great thing about being open 24/7 is that all members don’t have to come in during rush hour (4pm – 7pm). This organically keeps our occupancy at no more than 50% throughout the day and night,” Cutting added.

“Staying healthy throughout one’s life is important, regardless of a global pandemic. However, this COVID-19 pandemic has proven that weak immune systems have a lot of trouble fighting the virus. Working out and eating clean and nutritious foods are two of the easiest ways to fight off any disease. Think about living a ‘preventative lifestyle’ versus a potentially expensive and deadly ‘reactive lifestyle,’” he added.