Businesses across the country are beginning to reopen following statewide lockdowns in response to the coronavirus pandemic. In order to do so, employers will need to take necessary precautions and make sure there are strict cleaning and sanitation standards in place.
We reached out to Christine Perez from SERVPRO for tips on reopening your business.
What should businesses be doing right now to prepare to open? Any safe habits that are a must?
Finding suppliers for masks and gloves for your employees beforehand is a must. Creating a parallel action plan for cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing your establishment regularly will be the next course of action. High touch points need to be cleaned with EPA approved disinfectants. A safe habit is to allow the disinfectant to settle for at least 10 minutes. Following the usage information is essential in this case to improve the effectiveness of the cleaning process.
Are there any items in a business that you would recommend removing at this time to help stop the spread of the virus?
The tri-state area has grown rapidly to become the epicenter of coronavirus pandemic. Removing the tables and chairs to limit social gatherings that have the potential for possible infectious spreading has been effective. Assigning an employee to monitor and ensure a 6-foot distance is maintained can be beneficial as well. Other stationary office spaces are locking their front doors and advising the food delivers, mail delivers and visitors to call the receptionist in order to regulate the entry of unknown patrons.
Are there certain areas that should be more thoroughly disinfected than others?
High touch surfaces are key which means the common areas that are as follows but not limited to: Doorknobs, light switches, bathroom stalls, handrails, telephones, cashiers, equipment that your business may utilize more often than not, door handles or push doors and counters or desks in which patrons approach.
Should businesses investigate any new cleaning equipment that would help make the environment safer?
Every business is in the same predicament whether you’re a small-time retailer or a large manufacturing space. We are all looking for the next best strategy to combat COVID-19. We recommend a professional weekly or daily reoccurring sanitizing and disinfecting. During this pandemic, we have serviced industrial areas, residential buildings, essential businesses and businesses that are on the road to re-opening. After the cleaning, we provide a notice for your storefront or office space deeming the business certified SERVPRO cleaned.
In terms of opening back up, what should be a business’s main priority?
The safety of the employees and all patrons who enter is the most important aspect of re-opening. We as individuals require comfort and a sense of security in every environment we enter. Conducting small training sessions to teach employees how to properly wear a mask, advising them when to take off their masks and gloves and how to properly dispose of them is a start. During these times it can be difficult to provide comfort in a setting that requires a 6-foot distance. A small gesture such as a sign reminding customers to wear their smiles under their masks can go a long way reminding us of what we need to do while integrating a simple touch of positivity that we all so desperately need.
As America gets back to business, we all have a new sense of what it means to be clean. Having a reopening plan and cleaning protocols are critical to ensure the safety of your employees and clients.
SERVPRO has been trusted for over 50 years as the #1 choice in clean up and restoration for water, fire, mold and storm damage. About 89% of consumers are uneasy about going back to their brick-and-mortar locations. SERVPRO can ensure that your employees and your clients walk in with confidence as we find our way to a new norm.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
