Shopping Areas & Aisles

Control Crowd Flow

Physical distancing can be made easier by controlling the flow of foot traffic through your store.

• Place directional signs on floors for suggested one-way traffic. As a budget alternative, you can create arrows using heavy duty tape. Make sure it's at least 3" wide and a contrasting color to your floor so that customers will see it.

Provide Directions

Help customers quickly find what they need to help reduce instances of person-to-person interaction.

• If your store is large, provide directional signs to popular departments or items. These are especially helpful for new shoppers or if you've recently changed the layout of your store.

Prevent the Spread

Gently Remind Shoppers to Refrain from Touching Merchandise They Don't Plan On Buying

While the main form of COVID-19 transmission is through person-to-person contact, transmission via surfaces is still considered possible by health experts. Coronavirus is thought to survive up to 4 hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless steel. Until we know more about this novel virus, it's best to play it safe.

A friendly, visually pleasing sign can go a long way to spread the message of safety instead of the virus. Place these signs frequently throughout your store, including on clothing carousels, magazine racks, and grocery store shelves.

Disinfect

Frequently wipe down high-touch surfaces including self-service kiosks, jewelry or service/information counters, and product carousels. Additionally, many stores have opted to reduce business hours so that they can deep clean the store after hours. Remember to use an EPA-approved disinfectant that kills COVID-19 and follow all manufacturer instructions for cleaning.

Extra-Cautious Alternative
Consider removing or closing down any high-touch furnishings or amenities if they can't be frequently disinfected.

Don't Forget the Hand Sanitizer

Providing hand sanitizer at your store's entrance is essential, but we also recommend making it easily accessible throughout your entire store, providing frequent opportunity for staff and customers sanitize their hands.

Stay Informed

Keep in mind that the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recommendations from local, state, and federal officials continue to change.

• Sign up for email notifications from these agencies to ensure your protocols meet the latest recommendations. If you have any questions about what is legally required of your business, contact your local health department.