(
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52977388). (
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-53315702)
(
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/08/rishi-sunak-unveils-stamp-duty-holiday-and-hospitality-vat-cut-furloughed-coronavirus)
Ensuring good hygiene
Mike Boxall, Managing Director of Sitemark, on how to encourage good hygiene practices among customers.
'Super Saturday’, as it was dubbed by the media, was the day that pubs, hotels and restaurants across England were given the green light to reopen – if they followed Government guidance.
Guidance included allowing customers to order food and drinks via an app; staff
being asked to wash their hands regularly, especially before handling
glasses and cutlery; controlled access to toilets; and playing music at a low volume so customers would not need to shout, which increases the risk of transmission.
Despite being closed for months, many pubs and restaurants opted against reopening at the earliest opportunity. For some it is not financially viable to operate with social distancing measures in place. Whilst others want more time to digest and implement the new rules, many feel that the health risk remains too great. Reports of pubs closing after that first weekend following positive COVID-19 tests from customers support the latter concern.
While it may not be possible to fully defend an occupied property against contamination, a workplace risk assessment supported by strict cleaning and hygiene programmes can mitigate the risk.
The variable that is hard to account for is customer behaviour. There’s no doubt that the public are fully aware of the need to maintain social distance, however pubs are inherently social venues so it doesn’t take long for that to go out the window – especially after a few drinks.
Even the best cleaning and hygiene plans can be negated if customers aren’t following protocols. It’s essential that pub and restaurant owners do what they can to remind customers of the new rules and make them as easy as possible to follow.
72 | LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY Signage and labels
Simply putting a few ‘wash your hands’ posters around the premises is not enough. Coordinated signage should be displayed prominently around a building with a variety of messages, including reminders to wash hands and maintain social distancing.
It’s good practice to frequently change signage messages and location. Otherwise they quickly become part of the background and people will stop noticing them. Information from the Government changes frequently so it’s important that the content of your signage reflects that. This ensures your customers are provided with the most up-to-date guidance that they must adhere to when in your premises.
A risk assessment should identify high-risk touchpoints in a building, such as door handles, bathroom taps and light switches. Labels can be placed at each touchpoint and serve a dual-purpose – they remind customers that they have just been in contact with a high-risk area and so should wash their hands, and they remind employees and cleaning teams which areas need frequent cleaning.
Sanitation stations can be placed next to high-risk touchpoints where possible so that customers can immediately clean their hands. It’s particularly important to have one near the entrance so that customers can sanitise as soon as they enter the premises.
All of this should be in place prior to opening, but it's not enough to think that will suffice: all rules and protocols must be backed up by clear and consistent communication. Not only does this keep people safe, but it adds a welcome layer of reassurance for both your employees and for your returning customers.
Communication is key
A strong communications plan is vital if business owners want customers to understand and adhere to their rules. Although there is Government guidance, each business will have their own rules in place. Yet, they must not fall
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