Although COVID-19 has reached a manageable level, it still exists among us, and business owners should not become lax in keeping this disease at bay.
During the pandemic, many businesses were closed, and online shopping became the in-thing.
Business owners have been given the green light to resume operations. However, they still need to adhere to the health and safety measures stipulated by the Department of Health to keep their customers and employees safe.
It doesn’t matter which business you are operating; you must ensure your customers feel safe coming into your premises with these health and safety measures in your store.
The 10 Health and Safety Measures to Safeguard Your Customers
1. Social Distancing
Since COVID-19 is transmitted airborne through droplets and particles when people breathe, speak, sneeze, or cough, people are encouraged to practice social distancing.
Businesses should use social distancing tape to create a gap of about two meters between customers. And remember to put a sign to remind customers to step on the tapes to keep their distance and prevent the spread of coronavirus.
2. Educate Your Employees
When customers come into your premises, your employees are the first person of contact. So, you must educate your employees on steps to protect themselves and the customers by wearing masks and sanitizing.
When your customers see that your business is diligent in observing health and safety regulations, they will feel comfortable coming to your shop.
You should also ensure that all your employees are healthy and vaccinated. And when a worker is sick, allow them to stay home and recuperate to avoid spreading the virus.
3. Sanitization and Disinfection
Create a safe environment by conducting deep cleaning and sanitizing high-touch surfaces on your business premises.
According to WHO, the COVID-19 virus can survive on surfaces for a maximum of 72 hours, making it highly possible to transfer germs to people through surfaces.
For instance, banks should sensitize people against leaning on the counters, and if possible, before COVID-19 is eliminated, people should avoid handling paper money.
Every business should keep sanitizers in various places on their premises and encourage people to sanitize after entering and when leaving.
You can hire a cleaning crew to conduct deep cleaning and disinfect your whole premises every few days. And leave the basic cleaning to your employees.
Don’t just hire anyone to come and clean, check them out first and make sure that they operate in your area. You can do this by searching terms such as “commercial cleaning in Saskatoon, SK“, for example, so you can get the best people available.
4. Limit Store Crowd
Since COVID-19 spreads faster in crowded places as people cannot maintain distance. To maintain health and safety measures, store owners should work on limiting the number of customers in their store at a particular time.
When all the spaces designated for sitting and standing per the social distancing rules are filled, the rest of the customers should wait outside.
You can also set up an e-commerce site for your business and encourage your customers to make their purchases online. This will also help you capture other potential customers.
5. Place a Barrier Between the Customers and Employee
Within a single day, your employees serve hundreds of customers. If they are not observing the health and safety procedures, the chances of transmitting the virus to the customers are high.
So business owners should erect a barrier between the employee and the customers. This can be in the form of a plexiglass sheet or the sneeze guards. They are transparent, allowing the employee to serve the customer while protecting them from transmitting airborne droplets.
This is primarily observed in banks, supermarkets, restaurants, and other retail outlets. The transaction process is also smooth as there is a cutout place where customers can pass their card reader and barcode scanners when paying.
6. Curbside Pick-up
Depending on the type of business, you can encourage customers to opt for curbside pick-up as it’s safe. It’s also convenient as it allows you to get what you want while keeping your distance from other customers and employees.
Most retail businesses, such as pharmacies, groceries, supermarkets, boutiques, and restaurants, are sensitizing their customers to choose home deliveries or curbside pick-ups.
7. Card or Mobile Payments
Paper money changes hands very fast and between many people. For that reason, businesses are advising their customers to use paperless means of payment. This can be via online, credit card, or mobile payments. Store owners should ensure they’ve set up contactless payment systems.
Furthermore, you must also ensure that your employee uses disposable bags when giving customers their purchases. And in the case of home deliveries, contactless deliveries should be practiced where your employee wears protective gear such as masks and gloves.
8. The Shop is Well-ventilated
If your business premises is not well-ventilated, chances of airborne disease transmission will be high. It also increases the chances of mold formation, which can trigger allergies. And this will make your customers wary of coming to shop or eat at your premises.
Guarantee the health and safety of your customers and employees by ensuring that your business premises are well-ventilated by having enough windows, fans, and even air conditioners. These ensure that fresh air is circulating and airborne viruses have no chance of surviving.
9. Eliminate Slip and Fall Hazards
According to the Consumer Product and Safety Commission, the type of flooring used in business premises contributes to slips and falling of employees and customers. This is especially so in the food and drink industry due to spillages.
Therefore, business owners are advised to put the health and safety of their customers and employees first by using the right flooring.
Business owners should also have adequate staff to mop wet floors and pick up spills immediately, as that will significantly reduce slip and fall accidents and increase customer safety. Overall, businesses should ensure that their premises are clean at all times.
10. Have a Health and Safety Policy
Every business should have a health and safety policy. Its purpose is to state who is responsible for what, when, and how. This shows your customers that you are a trustworthy business owner and are committed to providing everyone with a safe environment.
You must also ensure that your business premise is well lit and the temperatures are maintained at favorable levels.
Final Thoughts
The pandemic saw many businesses closing, disrupting the economy and rendering many people jobless. Therefore, reopening a business after the long COVID-19 hiatus can seem daunting. But don’t worry; your customers will keep coming as long as your business’s health and safety regulations are in place.