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Keller-Brown Insurance Services
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Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania 17361
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Business Tips: Social Distancing for Companies that Engage with the Public

2020-08-19

Business Tips: Social Distancing for Companies that Engage with the PublicFor business owners, operating during a pandemic is complicated to say the least. You want to do the right thing by your staff and customers, without losing the business you love. In many cases, there is a lot you can do to make patronizing and working at your business safer for everyone.

Seven tips for social distancing during business hours:

Require face coverings: Encouraging mask wearing is the one, no-brainer action you can do to reduce the spread of COVID-19 at your business and in your community. If you don't live in a state or city with a mask mandate, be a leader and require or strongly suggest patrons wear one. Mask wearing keeps people safe, and also will make customers and employees feel safer coming into your store or office.

Limit occupancy: Updating your occupancy threshold will depend on a number of factors, including the square footage of your space, whether its layout allows people to easily keep a six foot distance, ventilation, and number of exits. Take the time to determine how many people can safely be in the building, and make a plan to enforce that limit.

Post signage: Clear signs can start the job of reminding customers to wear face coverings and keep their distance, as well as why these things are important. Post clear signage for both employees and patrons in order to make your expectations clear.

Use floor markers: Many of us are becoming very familiar with the distance of six feet, but it's not always intuitive and sometimes we forget. Whether you purchase fancy decals or use inexpensive tape, mark six feet measurements in high traffic areas to remind people to keep their distance.

Rearrange: The way you arrange the space within your business can help and encourage patrons to keep a safe distance apart. Remove extra furniture if necessary to keep the flow of traffic open and allow for plenty of space.

Rehearse: Unfortunately, some business owners may have to deal with patrons who refuse to follow the rules. Work out a clear plan about how to handle those customers and practice with your staff. And don't require new or non-management staff to be enforcers if they're not comfortable.

Think outside the office: In order to survive through the pandemic, most businesses are going to have to pivot. Can you move part of your business online? Meet customers outdoors? Let employees work from home? Offer delivery services? Take time to brainstorm creative ways to keep your business running in a way that minimizes interaction and keeps everyone safer for the time being.

Remember, keeping your business open depends on controlling the virus in your community. Doing your part to keep everyone safe will ultimately make it more likely that your business will stay afloat in the long run.

For all of your business insurance questions, call or contact Keller-Brown Insurance Services today.

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