The Coronavirus is also having an impact on local businesses. For example, if you’re looking to order a gown from a local bridal shop, you need to order it early.
Marie Gilley has been owning the Bridal Boutique on Airline Highway for over 50 years.
More than half of her dresses come from China. She says she’s never had issues with shipping until recently because Coronavirus outbreak.
“Brides need to realize that it may take a little bit longer, so start shopping early,” Gilley said. “[The Coronavirus] is affecting delivery”
Gilley says usually dresses from China take around three to six months to come
in, but now the expected wait time has extended. Her distributors are telling
her it’s because of the Coronavirus
“Most of them are saying give
us another month or so and just kind of playing it by ear to see what
transpires you know in the next few months,” Gilley said.
If you’re ordering a product from China
and are concerned about catching the illness officials say there’s no need to worry.
“Droplets may land on a
surface and someone comes behind them and immediately touches that surface then
rubs their eyes nose or mouth–that’s how the virus is most likely thought to
be spread from one person to another,” Dr.
Tina Stefanski, Regional Medical Director Officer of Public Health in Acadiana, said. “There is no evidence to
suggest that the virus can live for long periods of time, for example on a
package that is being shipped from China to the United States.”
Gilley says there are still plenty of other dresses available in store. As for
her distributors, she says until they are able to get back on track they are
being proactive.
“They are stocking dresses so
they have a lot of dresses that we can pull from,” Gilley said.
She believes her customers have nothing to worry about.
“I don’t think we’re going to
be running around with masks just yet,” she said. “We just have to take it day by day and
listen and be aware of what’s going on.”
