Stop The Spread

Protect your Staff and Customers: Studies have found that the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, can survive on some surfaces for up to nine days, this includes mobile devices! (New York Post). It states that the COVID-19 coronavirus can be removed from surfaces to minimize risk of infection.  Since we have so much contact with mobile devices, it makes sense to get your staff in the habit of cleaning each device before a repair and after the repair is complete.     Apple recommends: Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don't use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don't submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don't use on fabric or leather surfaces. We’d also recommend denatured alcohol which can be found at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s store as well as disinfecting wipes found your local CVS, Walgreens or any supermarket. It’s a simple way to keep your staff and customers safe!     How can we keep our business, customers, and employees safe from Coronavirus? Sick Employees   As a business owner, you may be tempted to ask employees to push through their illness and come into work. This is setting you up for disaster!

• The CDC recommends that any employee showing signs of fever or respiratory illness stay home until they have been fever free for 24 hours.

• Have a sick leave policy in place that is consistent with public health guidelines and be sure your employees are aware of it.

• It is recommended to NOT require a doctor’s note for sick leave as medical facilities are extremely busy and may not be able to provide a note in a timely manner.

• Maintain flexible policies regarding employees needing to stay home to care for sick family members. With medical facilities filling up, employees may be needed at home to care for sick family members. Do not make an employee choose between caring for their family and you.

• Employees who show signs of respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath, etc.) should be separated from their co-workers if possible and kept away from customers.

Keeping a Clean Shop

• Routinely clean areas that are frequently touched, such as workstations, doorknobs, and countertops.

• Take extra precautions when intaking a device. Wiping down devices with sanitizer during intake is strongly recommended,

• If a seemingly ill customer comes in, wipe down any areas touched once they leave.

• Protective gloves and masks are not recommended at this time, but should be used if cleaning a known contaminated area.

Planning Considerations

• While the immediate risk of exposure is low, it is best practice to have a plan in place in the event of an illness outbreak.

• Stay aware of conditions in your local community. If your community is suffering from an outbreak you need to have a plan for normal business operations to shut down if necessary.

• Be aware that this virus harshly affects the elderly and immunocompromised. Those employees should be granted extra leniency during an outbreak.

• Plan for absent employees. Even those who don’t contract the virus may be needed at home to care for the sick. Cross train all for essential business functions so your shop can continue operations even with a skeleton crew.

• Assess essential functions of your business and prioritize from there. Some non-essential projects may need to be temporarily suspended.

Employers Should

• Decide on a flexible sick leave plan and discuss the plan with employees. Try and figure out if there are any gaps in your plan before a crisis were to hit.

• Share your plan with local businesses and those in your supply chain. Ensure that you are not only keeping your employees safe, but the community as a whole.

• Not panic! Keep in mind this virus is typically less dangerous than the common flu. It will eventually pass and normal business operations will continue.

  In summary, emphasis on staying home while sick, respiratory etiquette, and proper hand washing with all employees.  For more information on how to handle Coronavirus as a business owner check out this blog published by the CDC.