Social distancing & contact in store
Social Distancing
Click here for advise on social distancing and reducing contact from the Federal Government
Recommendations for Social Distancing
Watch this Video on Social Distance
- You can share this link through email, or if you have messaging apps for work
- Government recommendations work 1.5 metres from colleagues. This means in all areas of the business - on the floor and in all staff areas
- Limit number of employees in one area
- Ensure employees do not leave water bottles in one spot to share germs- encourage ‘one use’ water bottles for this time (not good for the environment but better for health)
- Ensure customers do not have access to staff areas
- Encourage customers to practice social distancing- this can be done with marking of 1.5 meters distance at checkout areas (you can do this by using reflector tape or other stickers BUT ensure that this does not become a trip hazard!)
- Remind employees of the government restrictions regarding social gatherings on below links
Reducing Contact in Store
The following points are recommendations in general in reducing contact within store premises. They may or may not suit your business.
Recommendations
Review area of major contact such as doorways, touch points including purchases, risk assess the area – how can you combat the area
Can you
- Eliminate
- Isolate
- Reduce
- Control
Click here for a risk assesment template
Ask how can reduce contact other encourage the 1.5 distance without impacting on getting the customers through (and reduce their anxiety of standing in lines)? Does this mean having extra cashiers at certain demand times?
Many fact sheets advise of ventilation also assists with risk reduction. Look at ventilation in the store- if its not a controlled environment- can you have doors open? Just remember you cannot risk having flies and other pests coming in either. Is the food safe if you leave front door open?
Create a flow of traffic, coming in and then out- offer sanitisers at entrance
Encourage touch pay with cards/mobile phone- reduce the handling of cash
Look at other payment avenues if available such as;
- ‘click & collect’ – have designated areas for collection. Offer sanitisers in those areas
- Online delivery- no contact
If your business does not have scope to have these in place or already have them in place- look at other avenues that replicates these options such as;
Over the phone orders and payments – with collect or delivery (non-contact) options. Remember to ensure your employees maintain their personal hygiene and social distancing
Click here for advise on social distancing and reducing contact
Recommendations in General
Review area of major contact such as doorways, touch points including purchases, risk assess the area –
Can you:
- Eliminate
- Isolate
- Reduce
- Control
Ask how to reduce contact/ and encourage the 1.5 distance without impacting customer service and reduce their/employees anxiety of standing in lines
Does this mean having extra cashiers at certain demand times?
Many fact sheets advise of ventilation also assists with risk reduction. Look at ventilation on the premises, if it’s not a controlled environment- can you have doors open?
Create a flow of traffic of coming in and then out- offer sanitizers at entrance- avoid bottle necks
Customer Service/Payments
Encourage touch pay with cards/mobile phone- reduce the handling of cash
Look at other payment avenues if available such as;
- ‘click & collect’ – have designated areas for collection. Offer sanitizers in those areas
- Online delivery- no contact
If your business does not have scope to have these in place or already have them in place- look at other avenues that replicates these options such as;
- Over the phone orders and payments – with collect or delivery (non-contact) options.
Remember to ensure your employees maintain their personal hygiene and social distancing
Review your customers- some are elder or have disabilities – can you use the payments as previously mentioned and look at contactless deliveries to assist them?
Aisle spacing – can this be adjusted to allow space for customers to respect social distancing
Customer Advice- utilize emails or the phone. If have the ability- company website for request, online chat boxes etc
Hours of operation could be revised to allow staggered customers and employees
Make alternative sourcing arrangements if required if usual supplies are being affected
Deliveries incoming/outgoing
Stagger times if possible, to alleviate traffic in one area
Ensure drivers/employees have the ability to sanitize hands or wash hands
Cease any general customer access
Restrict access or appoint times for certain groups in delivery area pick /up drop off
Increase delivery options to customers to reduce customers coming in
Installations
There is a need to minimise disruption as much as possible, therefore installations could continue if properly assessed and planned.
Contact customers to ensure there is no self-isolations in progress or are high risk groups such as;
- people with compromised immune systems (e.g. cancer patients)
- elderly people
- Aboriginal and Torres strait islander people, as they have higher rates of chronic illness
- people with chronic medical conditions
- people in group residential settings
- people in detention facilities
- very young children and babies
If employees and customers are in agreeance to go ahead with the installation – they will need to reschedule
Meetings/Travelling
Cease Face to face visits by suppliers/ representatives
Merchandising in store- this will be coordinated by the external company – however if they are still coming on premises- good hygiene practices, sanitizer, book an appropriate time where there are less people around
Meetings and consultations can be done via phone, and other internet options such as Skype Zoom BlueJeans etc
For travelling interstate or overseas please refer to the government recommendations refer to the below sites: