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Reopening your business after COVID is based on varying criteria such as the government policies covering the area, the type of business and/or the size of the business. As business owners and managers are faced with the real task of reopening, they’ll be tasked with providing the best product or service in order to kick start the business but all while needing to protect staff, customers and visitors safe and healthy by following guidelines provided by various government agencies.
This is an unprecedented challenge for business owners and managers. How will you be able to provide the same beloved products, service or experiences to customers, but with a tighter budget and space constraints, while implementing social distancing and ensuring an extremely high level of hygiene in the premises?
Guidelines are already being implemented in businesses that are returning to work, but the situation is fluid and ever-changing. Before opening your doors to your full work complement and the public, clear actionable guidelines should be set up - with preplanning and thought - not by reacting to situations as they may occur.
The first step in reopening your business will be for the owners and managers to create new policies regarding hygiene, spacing, and illnesses. These policies will need to be made in conjunction with federal, state and local government guidelines. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) has a COVID-19 Businesses and Workplaces resource section with many points specifically addressing business and workplaces.
Resources are also provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration - OSHA. Refer to: Guidance and resources for employers and workers on the control and prevention of COVID-19.
These resources and information will be instrumental in devising your reopening policies.
After creating the policies, your business will be tasked with implementing the policies, communicating it to employees, staff, customers and anyone visiting the premises. The policies will need to be enforced. Educating all the stakeholders to stay in compliance will be an ongoing process.
In managing the reopening of business or workplaces, owners and managers will need to consider the health and safety of full or part time employees, customers and anyone else visiting the premises such as delivery people or inspectors.
Perhaps the single most important factor in managing staff and visitor health will be keeping an extremely high level of hygiene. The workplace policy you create will likely have stipulations for hand washing frequencies, and hand sanitizing. It is very likely that if there is one thing that will be completely brand new in your workplace after COVID, it will be check-in stations at entrances and hand sanitization carts throughout the premises (depending on the size of your location of course).
Sanitizing station can be easily set up at all entrances. They should be on wheels so they can be easily moved to where they are needed. The station can be easily repurposed for future uses, or brought back to use for any future flu season
Hand sanitization carts will also likely be new to your workplace this year. These carts can be placed throughout the workplace so employees or visitors can use them as needed. Look for mobile carts with space for large sanitizer dispensers as well as other supplies.
Personal spacing disks are yet another product that will be new - but extremely vital in helping your business stay in compliance with guidelines. You may have seen these already in some retail stores or government offices. These disks are durable and high performance mats that help protect against exposure to COVID by showing people where to stand and keep safe distances from each other. These disks can also be great for use in reception areas, customer facing offices, or on the “shop floor” for workers by giving them an easy way to identify where they should be standing, sitting or doing their work. The disks adhere to the floor but can be easily reapplied to another location without leaving residue on the floor. The disks can be customized - it’s just up to you to find the most creative way to use these in your business.
Staff who deal with the public, are most prone to exposure to COVID-9 due to the constant flow of people. Safety barriers provide durable but clear protection for staff from respiratory droplets. These barriers can be mounted onto desks, countertops or cash registers, and are available with a pass-through window if required.
Office and administrative staff will also require special office arrangements for returning to work after COVID-19. By adding a few safe products for office spaces, you can create a healthy environment which will not only meet health guidelines, but ensure the comfort and reassurance for staff (in addition to any members of the public who may need to visit the office).
Staff will need to be protected from each other, but also from delivery people or anybody who visits the office. This is where protective barriers come into play. Wellness screens, also known as sneeze guards, are designed to integrate into reception areas, open plan offices, and other work areas. Usually made from acrylic, these screens are easy to wipe clean and sanitize to help maintain a healthy environment. They come in freestanding and mountable versions, allowing the screens to be easily implemented without damaging existing furniture.
There are many types of workspace dividers and portable partitions to protect staff who work in close proximity to each other. Some panels feature anti-microbial materials and are great options for employees who work at desks, tables, or cubicles.
Managing the reopening of your workplace will be more complex than ever. Your main job is to continue the growth of the business and a successful workplace - for all involved. The added responsibility of providing a Coronavirus safe and healthy environment will require extra effort and attention. Using the resources provided by the CDC, OSHA and other levels of government will help you with communicating and reinforcing health guidelines. Innovative furnishings and office products for the COVID-19 world will help you in quickly adapting your workplace environment, and ensure that when the workplace does reopen, all employees and customers will go back with essentials!
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