Rejoice, indoor dining in Multnomah County is back! The return of indoor dining in Multnomah Country was a welcome sight for beleaguered Portland area restaurants and their communities. This development represents so much for so many. It’s a sign that we’re making progress against the spread of Covid-19. The mere thought that we’re finally moving toward a sense of normalcy after enduring a yearlong pandemic is exciting for commerce. Businesses of all sizes, including retail are now re-opening their doors to limited traffic and are taking precautionary measures to stay safe while staying open. This post will details some of the steps your business can take to encourage a safe return to business as usual.
On February 9th, Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced that many of Oregon’s most populous counties, including Multnomah would have their Covid-19 risk levels reduced from “Extreme Risk” to “High Risk.” This classification gave the green light for the return of gyms, nursing homes, and entertainment facilities. As of Friday Feb 12th you could once again enjoy a warm mid-winter’s meal, free from the elements.
Reopening is still limited as 6-foot distancing protocols remain in place. As are mask-wearing requirements. But some businesses are being proactive and are taking added steps to keep both their staff and customers safe. Here are a few things to consider.
Posting reminders of the rules.
No shirt, no shoes, (no mask!) no service. Posting signage is a cheap, but effective way of reassuring customers that you’re taking safety seriously. Keep in mind that quite a few people are still hesitant to venture out in public. By making your intentions known up front that you run a clean and safe business, you are encouraging a safe environment. Not only can this instill confidence in your business to new customers, it can lead to repeat patronage down the road.
A supply of disposable masks at the door.
In case you forgot your favorite tie-died Grateful Dead mask at home, some businesses are keeping an extra supply on-hand. The supply of masks being sold by retailers has been plentiful for some time. Having extra masks is a simple courtesy that can go a long way. It can literally save someone from having to make a return trip home, or from changing their plans altogether. For example, medical and dental facilities want to avoid the hassle of having to cancel and reschedule appointments. This is where your business can find yet another way to solve their customer’s problems!
Complimentary Hand-sanitizer.
Lobbies are often furnished with countertop bottles of hand-sanitizer. Sometimes they’re placed near the doors. This is a great step in encouraging sanitization. And yes, it’s also a subtle pubic service reminder on the importance of hand-washing. Hands can be filthy!
ULV fogging in cases of suspected or confirmed exposure to Covid-19
According to the CDC, most infections occur after breathing airborne virus. When someone coughs, sneezes, or simply talks, expelled micro-droplets linger in the air. Other people pick them up on the inhale and there you have it….gift giving that nobody wanted. ULV, or ultra-low-volume fogging can be deployed to disinfect both airborne and surface virus. This service is often deployed in a reactive way, or in response to a confirmed positive case exposure of Covid-19.
Sometimes referred to as cold-fogging, this process involves a hand-held machine that dispenses hospital-grade disinfectant into the air. The product is shot out in a vapor-like state, where it kills airborne virus, treating every cubic square foot of air space. Eventually it settles down onto surfaces, where it continues disinfecting. For more information, you can contact a member of our service team.