Prep Your Business to Reopen after COVID-19

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Covid-19 continues to ebb and flow throughout the country. You may have opened your business, you may be preparing to reopen, you may still be in wait, or you may be somewhere in between. No matter your current situation, at some point, businesses will resume but not without some restrictions. As people venture out, they experience different guidelines at different places of business. Integrating social distancing into your business and posting your policy with helpful visual signs like the ones we at Rush Flyers produce, will help reduce confusion and invite your customers to enter your business with confidence.

Understanding Social Distancing

When an infected person coughs or sneezes, they produce droplets, which is the method through which Covid-19 spreads. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of anyone nearby (typically within three-to-six feet) where they could be inhaled into the lungs, which allows the disease to take root. One way to manage the risk that occurs with this level of contact is by maintaining a distance of at least six feet from others, which is where social distancing gets its name.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines social distancing as "remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible." According to the CDC, Covid-19 social distancing (along with frequent handwashing and proper hygiene) can significantly reduce the risk of transmission. While this is obvious for the person who is sick, it is also true for the person who may be sick but not yet showing symptoms. That’s why social distancing is important whether or not people appear ill.

While social distancing may be one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission, it does require an overhaul to the way you do life and business. There are practical ways and best practices to share to help you in your efforts so that you can protect your customers, your staff, and your business.

How Social Distancing Guidelines Can Be Followed In Your Business

Businesses experience many people coming and going each day who would not otherwise normally interact, which puts them at risk for contributing to the spread of Covid-19. Therefore, it is necessary to have a social distancing plan before reopening your business. Your plan should consider several aspects:

  • Whether your space adequately allows for proper distance between staff and customers
  • How to limit the number of people in the building at one time
  • How to monitor policy adherence to things like handwashing, social distancing, and facemasks
  • Whether it may be appropriate or necessary to limit business hours
  • Whether shifts could be staggered to cover business need but reduce direct interaction with employees
  • Whether your sick-time policy is adequate
  • Whether special hours for the elderly and immunocompromised are possible

How to communicate information clearly, so customers understand

Once you have a social distancing plan, you can start preparing your business for its reopening. One of the best ways you can communicate and enforce your plan is through the use of social distancing and policy stickers and other marketing materials throughout your business.

Marketing Products That Will Help Your Customer Stay Safe

Grocery stores were identified as essential businesses and, therefore, had to adapt quickly. They were one of the first to manage social distancing regulations with the use of social distancing stickers. Today, social distancing stickers are seen in almost every grocery store and plenty of other industries, including health care and hospitals, restaurants, and at most retailers. These stickers provide many benefits, including:

  • Clear Communication:  In all times, but especially in a pandemic, communicating information in a helpful, accurate way is essential, especially to the public. Placing social distancing stickers strategically throughout your store ensures that customers understand the behavior expected from them in addition to any other information.
  • Policy Enforcement: Signs and stickers can also be used in-store to help enforce your policy and ensure that customers maintain a proper distance from one another. This relieves at least some of the burden from your staff from having to enforce the policy.
  • Consistent Messaging: Retailers have a responsibility to their customers and the public to do their part to keep them safe and healthy. When expectations are consistently communicated among multiple retailers, people accept them and modify their behavior accordingly.
  • A Fix for as Long as You Need: Stickers can last for up to five years. Hopefully, the pandemic won't last nearly that long. If Covid-19 disappears prior then, the stickers can easily be removed.

The versatility of the social distancing stickers is largely what makes them so appealing. They can easily be adapted to meet the needs of your specific business and industry.

Here are a few examples:

Social Distancing Carpet Stickers and Floor Stickers

Perhaps the most ubiquitous stickers right now are the same ones we've referenced several times in this article. As stated, the most popular stickers, by far, are carpet stickers and floor stickers that assist with social distancing guidelines. Not only do these stickers promote the general practice of social distancing, but they help people space themselves correctly from one another and the staff. The practice ensures the safety of everyone in the store, and it works.

Arrow floor stickers ensure that customers move in the right direction, which is especially helpful if you've redesigned your workspace to adhere to social distancing.

Signs and Banners

Sidewalk signs and outdoor banners let your customers know you are open for business and invite them to return. There are many areas where open retailers are sporadic. A mixture of open and closed businesses punctuate outdoor malls and shopping outlets. Signs communicate the message: "Welcome! We're open for business".

Window Clings

Window Clings are another informative tool and a great option for businesses to communicate and enforce adherence to health and safety regulations. While window clings have historically been used to market a company's brand, they are now being used to inform the public that they are open or to communicate policy. Sizes vary, and there are plenty of opportunities for full-customization.

In addition to social distancing stickers, there are additional messages that you may want to communicate with your customers. Here are some examples:

  • Face masks are required.
  • We provide hand sanitizer for use before entry.
  • Only 10 customers allowed in-store at a time.
  • Operating at 50% capacity.
  • Curbside service available.
  • Call us.

Which Items Work Best for Your Business?

We have signs, banners, floor stickers, and other reopening essentials available no matter what type of business you own. Our products are quality, durable, and customizable. We also have products available for both indoor and outdoor use. In addition to customization, we also offer personalization so that customers see your brand and your logo.

Establish your reopening plan and then let RushFlyers help you execute it so that you can get back to the business at the new normal as soon as possible. Request a quote or contact us for more information.