Beach Enclave Turks and Caicos staff ready to serve, File Photo
The coronavirus (or COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected people
all across the world, sending massive shock waves through the global economy
and leaving a trail of death in its wake. There were many unforeseen challenges
with millions advised to practice social distancing and wear masks daily. As global cases edge closer to 15 million, there
is still much uncertainty, but people have begun asking: how do we move forward
and remain safe at the same time?
The Bahamas, like many countries around the world, began focusing its
efforts toward economic recovery and returning to everyday life beyond quarantine
from mid-June 2020 with phased re-openings for certain groups, full opening of
commercial travel from July 1, and now effective July 22, closing commercial
travel again from certain destinations due to a huge spike in Covid-19 cases. However,
one thing has remained constant – ensuring organizations and business houses alike
establish the right measures and safety guidelines to prevent further contagion
of the virus in the local community.
As a part of the business reactivation plan, the Ministry of
Health, along with other institutions, stepped up to offer guidelines and resources
for organizations to implement. For example, last week, the Ministry of Health
released “Workplace Guidelines During
Covid-19 (V8), an updated version of the “Health and Safety at Work Act of
2002. The document provides
recommendations to employers regarding best practices for maintaining the
physical and mental health of their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. It
also requires employers to provide a hazard-free work zone, and substantially
reduce risk of injury and death in the workplace setting. The Atlantis, Paradise Island resort also
collaborated with Cleveland
Clinic, a world renowned healthcare provider, and launched the “Atlantis
Clean and Safe Promise” initiative to help ensure the health, safety and well-being
of guests, team members and the local community, in preparation for re-opening after months of
being shut down due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
As schools and hospitals begin to make preparations to re-open in
September, here are a few industry-specific Covid-19 safety guidelines from
Cleveland Clinic:
Education
Disinfect high-touch areas and objects (chairs,
desks, computer equipment, doors, etc.) often and create disinfecting stations
across campus
Establish clearly communicated guidelines to
ensure social distancing measures are properly implemented, and reduce the
number of students and faculty in one area at once.
Reconsider usage of shared classrooms and
supplies and discourage students from sharing their equipment/materials.
Alter food & beverage service practices
like only serving food that can be easily distributed.
Create a culture of responsibility by
developing a pledge students, staff, and faculty can follow to keep each other
safe.
Hospitality
Maintain physical distancing at entrances and
exits, the front desk, concierge spaces, pools and beaches, fitness facilities,
restaurants and back-of-house areas. Use floor markers or other signage to
reinforce physical distancing
Reassign employees at high-risk for contagion
(65+ and those with pre-existing conditions)
Increase frequency of cleaning in all areas
and adjust policies for fitness & swimming areas
Consider suspension of valet services
Retail
Disinfect high-touch areas frequently, such
as doorknobs, push bars and door handles, light switches, carts and baskets,
touchscreens, keyboards and credit card machines
Require employees and guests to wear face
masks inside the store
Determine maximum occupancy and use signage to
reinforce distancing or prompt symptomatic customers to not come inside
Specify hours for at-risk populations and
switch to contactless payments whenever possible
Decide whether to re-open fitting roomsand
use appropriate sanitation measures if opening them. Encourage customers to use
hand sanitizer/wipes before trying on items and to keep a protective mask on
during fitting. Develop a procedure for disinfecting fitting room items (not
just clothing, but also jewelry, eyewear, etc.)