The last twelve months have been uniquely challenging for everybody. With lockdowns, restrictions and furlough impacting so many people, there have been some sectors that have been more affected than others. If you work in the hospitality industry, you know how hard it has been to not be able to welcome customers into your venue. However, in light of the latest plans for a roadmap out of lockdown, it looks like restrictions will be lifted on the 12th of April.

Great, you may think. You can finally reopen and get back to doing what you do best – putting the customer first! However, in order to do this, you must be ready for the “new normal”.

How can you prepare for reopening? Read on for some practical steps you can take to make sure your venue is good to go when restrictions lift.

Social distancing measures

One of the most important ways of opening safely is making sure your staff are clear on social distancing regulations. In line with social distancing measures, you will most likely need to reduce your capacity. This might be challenging at first, but planning ahead means you will know how many people you can safely accommodate. Make sure that all staff know how vital it is to keep these numbers in mind when admitting visitors into your venue.

Hygiene

Keeping up with strict hygiene is the best way to protect everyone during this time. Make sure you have plenty of antibacterial soap and hand sanitiser for both staff and guest use, and that you are cleaning with suitable supplies. Carefully considered signage will help to keep hygiene at the front of your visitors’ minds.

When cleaning, keep in mind that UV-C light is often used in the most sterile environments in order to kill bacteria more effectively. You can use this in conjunction with your regular cleaning regimen and support air purification. Always treat UV-C with extreme caution and make sure your products are guaranteed to be safe.

On that note, air hygiene is also an important consideration, with improved air circulation being vital to limit and prevent the spread of the virus, so keep windows open when you can and try to invest in an air purification system.

Face coverings

Ensuring that your visitors and customers are wearing face coverings is an important part of staying healthy and staying open! Having a box of disposable face coverings handy for those who forget is a great way to give people a nudge in the right direction. This prevents droplets from breathing to pass between people and, along with a safe one to two-metre distance, this is the top way to stay secure.

Track and trace

Getting signed up for the track and trace app is an important part of taking care of both your staff and your visitors. Ensuring that everyone who does not have the app gives you their details in a GDPR compliant fashion. This means you will be able to remain open but will know if you need to close.

Testing

Ensuring that your staff is able to undergo regular Covid-19 testing is imperative to ensure they remain healthy and happy to come to work. Make time for them to do this and it will help them to feel safer and happier to come to work.

With these handy hints, you should be able to reopen securely. Good luck, and stay safe!