The role of a security guard has evolved ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Now, a well-trained security team not only guards your business against a physical threat but can also assist in maintaining the health safety of your employees. Most businesses are struggling to follow the precautions issued by health experts and federal and local governments. The best way to avoid heavy penalties for violating these safety measures is to appoint security guards to enforce them. Whether you operate a healthcare facility, retail store, business organization, restaurant or place of worship, security guards are valuable assets that can help maintain order, enforce social distancing and provide peace of mind.
As it has been made clear by health officials that social distancing and masks are the only weapon against spreading the deadly virus, social distancing has become the norm worldwide. However, there are many individuals who refuse to abide by the rules. For this reason, security services may be required to monitor areas where social gatherings are taking place or where there’s a steady inflow of customers to prevent violation of the rules. A security guard positioned at the entrance can control the flow of people, ensuring proper social distancing inside the building.
Daily health checks are also heavily recommended. A security guard stationed at the entrance can take temperature checks and sanitize the customers entering the shop, organization or corporate building and ensure that every visitor and employee is wearing a mask. Trained and qualified security guards take an active role in keeping businesses, employees and customers safe. Security guards understand the importance of reliably, respectfully and professionally enforcing COVID-19 health and safety protocols for any business and will ensure everyone entering your’s follows the protocols.
Additionally, many security teams have increased their efforts in order to help local communities and governments cope with the pandemic on a site level. For instance, they’ve played a crucial role in helping hospitals deal with the primary admission of patients who have been infected with COVID-19 by ensuring the safe transfer of patients and medical personnel to and from nearby isolation zones. Security teams can also be appointed, especially in the medical sector, to cordon off isolation zones. It’s the responsibility of security guards placed inside hospitals to make sure doctors and paramedical staff can pass safely to and from these zones and that patients or visitors don’t come into contact with COVID-19 patients by patrolling those parts of the hospital. Some hospitals who have been hit with an above-average volume of COVID-19 have decided to partially lock down their facilities and allow access only through certain entrances. In those cases, they’re adding security coverage for their lockdowns for access control and to provide information to visitors and patients.
Outside of hospitals, local authorities and businesses in many cities that are in lockdown have started the practice of mobile security, where a security team patrols the streets to ensure all the closed shops and stores remain safe from all kinds of burglary or vandalism. These security guards also perform checks on shops and retail stores—ensuring their surveillance, locking panels and other safety equipment is functioning properly, as well as CCTV monitoring. The same checks are carried out on fire alarm systems to ensure they’ll perform their jobs when needed.
The importance of security during COVID-19 is nonnegotiable. Business owners can take steps to stay ahead of the virus by taking preventative security measures. Hiring security guards can go a long way towards the prevention of unnecessary disturbances. Considerable increases in the number of vacant premises, the need to handle queueing and crowd control and the essential nature of having a front of house representative to communicate with service users make the role of a security guard more vital than ever before.