By Lane V. Erickson, Idaho Business Attorney
Without a doubt, the Coronavirus has had a huge impact on all aspects of business in the United States and throughout the world. In particular, small business owners have been dramatically impacted sometimes in devastating ways. However, there does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel.
In Idaho, and in most states, plans and stages for reopening have been introduced and are being implemented. This includes allowing small businesses to again begin operating. The only problem is most of these plans of implementation and reopening require stringent physical distancing with clients and other safety protocols and procedures to be in place. In particular, Idaho requires that many small businesses present a written plan to the local Health Department to be approved prior to the reopening of their business operations.
Our goal is to help our business clients. At Racine Olson, we have assisted clients in both the creation and operation of their businesses for more than 70 years. Our business attorneys have the skill, experience, and expertise to help each client with their business needs. Our business law attorneys include partners Lane Erickson and TJ Budge, and attorneys Nate Palmer and Dave Bagley. Each of the attorneys on our team can answer your questions and help you move forward in re-opening your business operations.
The purpose of this article is to give you some ideas of the things that you should be considering for the safety of yourself, your employees and workers, and your customers and clients. If you do have specific questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact us for a free 30-minute consultation where we can answer your questions and help you with all of your business needs.
Flow of CustomersThe first thing that you should consider if you’re going to be reopening your business is how you the flow of your customers will work. This is easy to describe because most of us during the Coronavirus have still been going to grocery stores to get groceries and other home related products. In most grocery stores you will see a well laid-out plan for the flow of customers and clients. This may include specific diagrams on the floor as to which direction customers and clients can go as they go up and down certain isles within the business. It may also include designated spots on the floor where people need to space and wait their turn at the cashier’s stand.
It’s possible that your business is internet-related and doesn’t require the physical presence of your clients or customers. If that’s the case, that’s awesome. If not, then you should come up with an actual plan of how your clients will come and go and how you will control that flow of clients throughout the business day.
Physical DistancingIn addition to being concerned about clients, you also need to be concerned about your employees and other workers. Part of your plan should include how you will maintain physical and social distancing with your workers, vendors, suppliers, and the salespeople that may call on your business during the operation of your business throughout the day.
This may require you to have some meetings with your employees and these other individuals to make sure that proper physical distancing actually occurs. It may also require you to continually observe how your employees and other individuals are interacting. Finally, and they require you to make Corrections or provide additional instruction.
Sanitizing and CleaningFurthermore, you should have a very specific plan on how you will sanitize and clean your business premises before, during, and after regular business hours. To do this, you need to have a good understanding of the types of cleaning products that work and those that don’t.
For example, there are many companies that provide what they describe to be sanitizing wipes or sprays. Most health departments, including the CDC, offer guidelines on the types of products that are effective against the Coronavirus, and those that are not. It’s important that as a business owner you know the difference and are only using those products that actually work.
Additionally, it’s important that heavily used items such as doorknobs or handles, light switches, keyboards, cash registers, and so forth receive extra treatment in being cleaned and sanitized throughout the day. This is especially true if the operation of your business requires shift changes and employees are workers using the same machinery or equipment or being located in the same areas throughout the day.
It is encouraging that business operations are being allowed to reopen and move forward even during the Coronavirus. However, it’s important that we are all vigilant in following the proper cleaning and distancing protocols and procedures to keep the virus in check.
If you have questions or concerns about how your business can reopen, we are confident that we can help. Please contact us for a free 30-minute consultation.
Enlist an Idaho Business Attorney to Help YouOur team of Idaho business lawyers can help you with any of your business structure or operation needs. Whether you are seeking to create a new business or review a current business, we are available to discuss your options and answer your questions at an initial free 30-minute consultation. Call us toll free at 877-232-6101 or 208-232-6101 for a free consultation. You can also email us directly at lane@racineolson.com or stop by our office at 201 East Center Street, Pocatello, Idaho 83201. We will answer your questions and help you solve your Idaho business problems.