As the country struggles to devise the best plan for reopening the economy, the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance has released a guidance to help the industry segment most impacted — retail.
The three-phase plan outlined in the guidance starts with the current mode of operation for many retailers across the country — restricting sales to curbside pickup and home deliveries.
Phase 2 involves reopening stores with social distancing and reduced occupancy. In addition to maintaining 6 feet of distance between workers and visitors, employers should adjust seating in common areas such as break rooms to maintain social distancing, limit meetings to 10 people and allow employees to take breaks and lunch outside. Staff should be discouraged from sharing phones, desks, workstations, wearables and tools.
State and local occupancy limits should be observed. However, smaller retail outlets may need to observe even stricter guidelines. For those without the manpower to adequately monitor customer flow, PHTA recommends occupancies of no more than 50%, or five customers per 1,000 square feet of total store square footage.
In Phase 3, stores would determine which protocols should be retained indefinitely for protecting customers and employees, then open free of social distancing or occupancy restrictions.
The organization isn’t necessarily recommending that companies go back to the old normal in Phase 3. Going forward, PHTA recommends that stores continue to provide hand soap, sanitizers and wipes, as well as to continue sanitizing high-touch areas such as restrooms, break rooms, credit-card machines, keypads, counters and shopping cards. Stores also should be prepared to thoroughly clean if an exposure to the coronavirus is reported. Similarly, companies should continue to send sick employees home and encourage frequent handwashing.
