Today Governor DeWine announced the phased reopening process in Ohio. The reopening dates for various sectors are outlined below: May 1:   Health care procedures that do not require an overnight stay and other electivesMay 4:   Manufacturing, Construction, Distribution, General OfficeMay 12: Consumer, Retail & Services (with specific exclusions – click here for list of continued closures) In addition to bringing these sectors back on-line, all businesses operating will have to adhere to safety and health protocols which include the following: 

  • Require face coverings for employees and clients/customers at all times.
  • Conduct daily health assessments by employers and employees (self-evaluation) to determine if “fit for duty.”
  • Maintain good hygiene, hand washing, and social distancing.
  • Clean and sanitize workplaces throughout workday and at the close of business or between shifts.

Specifically, all retailers must adhere to the following requirements: 

EMPLOYEES
Mandatory

  • Ensure minimum of six feet between people; if not possible, install barriers
  • Employees must perform daily symptom assessment
  • Require employees to stay home if symptomatic
  • Face coverings must be worn at all times
  • Require regular hand washing
  • Place hand sanitizers in high-contact locations
  • Clean high-touch items after each use (e.g. carts, baskets)

Recommended Best Practices

  • Group employees by shift to reduce exposure

CUSTOMERS & GUESTS
Mandatory 

  • Ensure minimum of six feet between people
  • Specify hours for at-risk populations (e.g. elderly)
  • Place hand sanitizers in high-contact locations
  • Ask customers and guests not to enter if symptomatic
  • Face coverings to be worn while shopping or visiting (possibly enforced by the retailer; however, we have asked or additional guidance and will share when available)
  • Stagger entry of customers and guest

Recommended Best Practices

  • Health questionnaire for symptoms at entry point
  • Provide face coverings upon entry
  • Where possible, accept customers by appointment only
  • Increase availability for curb-side pickup
  • Consider suspending return policies

PHYSICAL SPACES 
Mandatory

  • Ensure minimum of six feet between people; if not possible, install barriers
  • Post social distancing signage & disinfect high-contact surfaces hourly
  • Clean merchandise before stocking if possible
  • Establish maximum capacity (at 50% of fire code)
  • Discontinue self-service food stations, product samples
  • Food courts remain closed

Recommended Best Practices

  • Close once a week for deep cleaning
  • Maximize available checkout space to promote social distancing (e.g. space customer lines with floor markers, use alternate registers)
  • Use contact-less payments where possible
  • Increase capacity for delivery and curb-side pickup

CONFIRMED CASES
Mandatory

  • Immediately isolate and seek medical care for any individual who develops symptoms while at work
  • Contact the Local Health District about suspected cases or exposures
  • Shutdown shop/floor for deep sanitation if possible

Recommended Best Practices

  • Work with Local Health Department to identify potentially infected or exposed individuals to help facilitate effective contact tracing/notifications
  • Once testing is readily available, test all suspected infections or exposures
  • Following testing, contact Local Health Department to initiate appropriate care and tracing

 Additional information regarding Ohio’s reopening process can be found at Coronavirus.Ohio.Gov/ResponsibleRestartOhio . As always, please feel free to contact us at info@ohioretailmerchants.com or call 614-221-7833.