COVID Safe
How To Make Your Small Business COVID Safe
Running a business in a post-lockdown world is entirely different from what it used to be. Various rules and regulations are in place to ensure that everyone is kept as safe as possible. It’s fairly easy to keep your staff safe as you have more control over them. But, keeping your customers safe is a different story. Thankfully, it’s very much possible, and all you need is a few simple steps. So, here’s how you keep your customers safe when returning to work:
Set your business up for cashless payments
Minimizing contact between you and your customers is key. The best way to do this is by offering cashless payment options, so you aren’t handing money back and forth. These days, you can easily get your hands on portable credit card swipers and contactless card readers that let customers make payments without touching anything. They just swipe or tap, and the payment is made. Physical contact is limited, keeping everyone safe on your premises. Even if you offer a typical pin pad system, this is better than handling cash. All you have to do is wipe or spray the pin pad after each customer has touched it.
Create sanitization points at the entrance to your business
This is something that every business has done during the global pandemic. Personally, I hope it’s something that stays around forever! Companies have places with hand sanitizer and antibacterial sprays/wipes that customers use before entering the premises. The idea is that the customers clean their hands and wipe down trolleys/baskets. This kills germs and prevents things from spreading by customers touching items around the store. It’s probably the best way to ensure that everyone entering the store is germ-free. It also creates a queuing system where you can monitor how many people are in your business at any given time. If things look too crowded, you can stop letting people in until others leave.
Masks and protective screens
The rules surrounding masks are different in various countries across the world. Depending on where you live, it might be illegal for people to enter your store without a mask. So, be sure you enforce this law vigilantly! As for your staff, put screens up at checkouts to further protect them and the customer. If masks aren’t a law, you can choose to impose them on your customers, but they don’t have to abide by your wishes. This is why it’s more important to focus on your staff. Ensure everyone wears a mask if they’re in contact with customers, and keep the screens up at checkouts. At the very least, this will keep your customers safe from any staff members on your premises. If they want to wear masks, then they can as well!
Realistically, it’s all about having a bit of common sense. Don’t open your business and have absolutely no rules in place. This will cause havoc, and you could be responsible for another spike that may close your company again! Right now, it’s a case of being responsible and adapting to the current climate. Make your business COVID-safe for your customers, and you can carry on making money.
