Reopening in a Pandemic
As Rhode Island becomes one of the first states in the Northeast to begin the reopening process, it has left many businesses struggling to meet new guidelines. Like Rhode Island, most other states will begin opening businesses that have been shuttered for months with serious restrictions or requirements. This can leave businesses, who are already hurting financially, struggling to figure out how to meet these new demands and start driving business again.
While restrictions may vary state-to-state, we can assume that the general process of opening will be similar across the board, so let’s tackle some of the bigger one.
Continue to do things as digital as possible - If you are a business that can hold meetings digitally, continue to do so. Take calls with clients via Zoom, and utilize tools like Slack or Google Drive to keep things organized among your team. Keep your online store stocked and push purchases through it for delivery or curbside pickup. Check out this article from Forbes with an entire list of all the free software and programs that businesses (and educators) can take advantage of to help streamline their digital workplace.
Know your limits - For those with physical locations, make sure you know the number of people you’re allowed to have in your space and communicate that clearly. Post signs at entrances and on windows informing everyone how many people are allowed in. If possible, create designated waiting spaces outside in case you meet capacity, and at registers to ensure proper social distancing. Mandate mask wearing while inside, and think of ways to decrease contact between customers and employees. This could mean plexiglass at registers, the ability to pay for purchases on customer phones, or instituting new changing room policies. Some businesses are even putting out baskets of masks and hand sanitizer for customers to grab and use if they forget their own.
Utilize the resources you have - A lot of states are looking to provide cleaning supplies and masks to businesses opening that are already seeing budget constraints. Check out your states local Covid-19 website or hotline for more information about vouchers or access to supplies. For information on how to get access in Rhode Island, click here. These policies will be in place for a long time and can be costly to small businesses, so utilize all the resources you can as business builds back up.
Make things appointment only - Most restaurants will open with reservations only, but other businesses can take a page out of their book to help minimize groups congregating together. Drop off services like laundry or pet grooming, can start implementing reservation slots to keep rushes of people showing up or checking out at one time. Retail stores can create pick-up slots and encourage online or over-the-phone payments for those looking to shop. Places like showrooms, salons, baby stores, appliance stores, and gyms that allow drop ins can begin implementing call-ahead appointments to ensure customers can shop safely in small numbers. In addition, like grocery stores, you can think about creating special “seniors only” shopping hours for the most vulnerable in the community and spread out shopping times.
Keep detailed records - As much as possible, keep detailed records and the contact information of people frequenting your business and the employees working. If someone ends up sick, the Department of Health and the CDC will be implementing contract tracing, and accurate records on your end could really help streamline the process. Keep a notebook or digital records somewhere it can easily be accesses and start getting yourself, and your employees, in the habit of updating it frequently.