With the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the need for better preventive measures against infection has become a top priority. Businesses, especially those that deal with their customers directly, need to employ extra methods to make sure that they comply with government safety guidelines. Strict adherence to these new standards will keep employees and customers out of harm’s way.
While standard precautions, like social distancing, have been imposed in many stores to adapt to the new normal, additional measures won’t hurt. Point of sale (POS) protective equipment should be part of your business to-do-list amplify the safety of your establishment and here’s why:
How Is COVID-19 Transmitted?
The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, spreads through droplet particles expelled from an infected person via sneezing or coughing. These droplets then enter the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Transmission is also possible through indirect means. An infected person can transfer droplets to a surface or object. If a person handles these contaminated objects and touches their eyes, nose, and mouth, the virus can enter their system and spread the infection.
What Are the Symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19 can manifest as:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there may be other symptoms that have yet to be discovered.
One of the most troubling things about the coronavirus is that it takes around 2 to 14 days after exposure before the symptoms appear. Within that time frame, carriers may seem perfectly healthy but are unknowingly spreading the disease to others. Additionally, statistics have shown that a number of people show no signs at all.
For retailers and businesses that interact with customers directly, this is a serious concern. Many have trained their staff to be on a lookout for people who showing possible symptoms of the virus.
Reasons to Invest in POS Protective Equipment
The public can never be too careful when dealing with a pandemic. Any additional safety measure is always welcome. Various companies who focus on innovation and growth in these trying times have developed new equipment and tools to mitigate the threat.
Here’s why your establishment needs to invest in these innovations:
- They keep your employees safe
Employees are one the most valuable assets in any organization. They are the backbone of a company — a fact often forgotten but most profoundly felt whenever a business is short-staffed. Employers cannot compromise their safety.
In the retail industry, cashiers, clerks and security personnel are considered the frontline workers. Their frequent interaction with multiple people at close quarters makes them especially susceptible to contracting the infection.
POS equipment keeps their contact with customers at a minimum, reducing the risk of exposure.
- They put your employees’ and customers’ minds at ease
The pandemic has increased anxiety levels, particularly for frontliners. When employees are on edge, it’s difficult for them to focus on their work. Additionally, many consumers may not feel safe entering an establishment that does not have the necessary precautions.
Investing in POS protective equipment will lessen the need for both employees and customers to worry too much about safety. It will allow your business to carry on without trouble. Also providing a safe and sanitized working environment shows that you care for your staff and customers alike, which can make your brand more attractive to consumers.
- Allows businesses to comply with state and local hygiene requirements
Each province and city has its own health and hygiene requirements for local businesses to continue with operations during the outbreak. Retail shops and restaurants are often required to have POS protective equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) in place as part of safety regulations.
- Prevents infection through indirect contact
POS equipment is an invaluable tool; it increases productivity and makes tasks more convenient. It keeps track of your business cash flow and automatically keeps track of your inventory. POS devices include payment terminals or card readers that are often passed around to various customers. Because the virus can spread through contact with contaminated objects, minimizing the handling of these objects can go a long way in preventing transmission.
Pin pads are a low-cost solution for this problem. You simply slip them on your payment devices and wipe them clean with alcohol or disinfectant after handling.
- Provide better protection and functionality than makeshift solutions
While makeshift equipment is useful during emergency situations, they’re not great substitutes for actual POS protection equipment. Furthermore, makeshift equipment can be troublesome to set up and don’t last long.
Here are some examples of actual POS Equipment and their advantages
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- Transparent Barrier
These wide acrylic shields are mounted on the counter to protect cashiers during transactions. A makeshift alternative for this uses a plastic cover roll held up by thumbtacks or adhesive tape, but the setup is often flimsy and can easily fall apart.
A purpose-built transparent barrier has these advantages:
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- Easy to install
- Solid construction
- Easy access to payment terminals, which reduces long checkout lines and waiting times
- Adustable, can fit any counter via Vespa mount
- Effectiveness, curved barrier designs provide better protection against incoming droplets and particles from sneezes or coughs
- Face Shields
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The main entry point for COVID-19 is through the eyes, nose and mouth. To rectify this, face shields were developed.
This equipment offers frontliners the following advantages:
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- Full protection for the face, stopping virus particles at close range
- Lightweight and made of transparent plastic, so it does not obstruct vision
- Fully secure once worn
- Can work in conjunction with facemasks and transparent barriers
- Payment Paddles
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These extended poles are made with drive-thru and laundry services in mind. As a makeshift solution, portable card readers and payment terminals are placed on baskets and handed to customers. Unfortunately, in addition to the risk of devices falling and breaking using this method, transactions are still done at close range.
With payment paddles, these problems are drastically reduced since they:
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- Fully secure portable payment devices and prevent damage from accidental drops
- Have an ergonomic design that allows the payment terminals and card readers to be handed to customers from a safe distance
- Allow a faster and smoother transaction at the point of payment.
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Keeping staff and customers in the midst of this pandemic is of the utmost importance. As a business, you are responsible for their safety in your premises. In response to this, Point of Sale Remarketing Group (POSRG) Canada now offers protective gear for your employees and equipment. Call us today at (905) 332-8809, we’ll be happy to help you with your needs!
