As COVID-19 has continued to impact the way in which businesses operate on a daily basis, employers in Central Florida have been implementing new protocols in order to keep both their employees and their customers safe. According to the CDC, limiting close face-to-face contact with others is the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as the virus spreads mainly among people who are in close contact (within about six feet) for a prolonged period of time. Spread happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, and droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. Therefore, it’s important to stay at least six feet (about two arms’ length) from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
In the past few months, the sight of a security guard outside stores has become commonplace to ensure the safety of shoppers, limit the number of people who can enter a shop at any one time and ensure social, or physical, distancing is maintained in stores. Prior to the pandemic, the retail guarding focus was traditionally aimed towards loss prevention and employee safety, and while these are still issues, they’re no longer its sole focus. If there are too many people in a retail store at any given time, it can be hard to stay six feet away from everyone else. Lines also have to be monitored outside the store to make sure that everything is in order and social distancing is maintained. Private security can make sure that if a customer refuses to follow social distancing protocols, they can be escorted out of the building. Many instances of this have been seen across the country recently, which is why it’s always better to be prepared.
Additionally, restaurants have seen lines wrapped around the block as customers wait (six feet apart) to pick up their food orders. If you own a restaurant, you might be looking for ways to ensure the safety of your customers and staff. You may also realize that you need assistance with crowd control and enforcing the social distancing rules as many people choose to disregard the protocols or forget about them altogether. Experienced, professional security guards can politely remind your customers to abide by social distancing rules, protecting people and keeping your business in compliance. They can also act as a strong presence to ensure that people are maintaining orderly lines, respecting each other and moving quickly.
Keeping up to date and understanding how and when guidelines need to be implemented and administered can be a headache for business owners. Due to the constantly evolving information and guidelines, security firms are continually training staff on how to apply them safely and effectively, including the use of conflict resolution amongst other challenges. Formally trained security guards are aware of the procedures needed to continue to keep people safe—protecting themselves and others and minimizing any further potential transmission of COVID-19 within your workforce and customers.
Security guards can also offer support in compiling a risk assessment for your premises. By analyzing and identifying possible risks, they can make judgments and assessments on how to best mitigate those risks to ensure safe working environments. Performing a professional risk assessment allows for the wellbeing of staff and customers to be maintained in an appropriate manner, according to the latest government guidelines during the return to work phase. The fluid nature of these guidelines can be difficult to keep up with, but security firms are continually assessing and amending any challenges as they present themselves.
In many instances, the police force isn’t enough to help enforce the protocols set by the government and medical experts properly, as well as make sure that everyone is safe. Professional security guards from Apex Security can be incredibly helpful to your Orlando business during this uncertain time. Security officers have the training and skills you need to maintain order, deter crime, and enforce social distancing to keep your staff and customers safe.