During the pandemic, your employees’ and customers’ health has become your top priority. During a recent Society of American Florists webinar, Christopher Norwood, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, shared safety measures he’s taken to protect everyone who works or shops at Tipton & Hurst in Little Rock, Arkansas.

“This has been a big learning curve for all of us,” said Norwood, whose company operates five locations, including one inside a hospital. “We’re in constant conversation as team, asking ‘what are we doing right, what are we doing wrong?’ There’s nothing normal about this situation — no past guidelines to lean on. We’re taking it one day at a time.”

Below are a few actions that Norwood has found effective at minimizing the risk of infection and providing a sense of security:

Clear-cut messaging. There is no ambiguity concerning Tipton & Hurst’s COVID-19 policy. Shop windows feature signage outlining precautions taken and requirements for staff and visitors (masks must be worn, as well as gloves, if you wish to touch merchandise). The same information appears front and center on the company website. Inside, floor decals, spaced six feet apart in all directions, indicate where patrons should stand.

Greeters. Tipton & Hurst reinforces the aforementioned written information with shop greeters who open the door to customers with a friendly welcome and quick spiel about safety. A system that includes a video doorbell and motion detector alerts the staff of a customer’s arrival.

Ample protective materials. Tipton & Hurst has a large supply of masks and gloves at the ready, should customers arrive without their own. Hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes are readily available at the checkout counter and on showroom displays for customer and employee use. They are also at arm’s reach for employees in the design room and bathroom. Plastic shields, “like the sneeze guards you see at the salad bar” stand between shoppers and staff members.

Vigorous cleaning. Drivers are required to wipe down vans at the end of every shift. Salespeople wipe down their computers and phones before they leave. Every morning and afternoon, the shop’s counters, displays, design tables, bathroom, door handles, etc., gets a thorough cleaning using Floralife D.C.D Cleaner. “Use two ounces to one gallon of water,” Norwood said. “It’s been a great product for us.”

Fever checks. Every employee has a temperature check before starting work. (Those over 100F are sent home.) Norwood checks his own about four times a day. “It’s a bit OCD, I admit,” he said. “But it gives me peace of mind. You read so much scary stuff in the news and start getting psychosomatic symptoms. The thermometer makes me realize I’m just dealing with anxiety.”

For more details, click here to watch the full webinar.

Here are some additional resources on customer and staff safety:

• Florists Rethink Physical Spaces 
• 5 Tips on Ramping Up Cleaning
• Florists Share Tips on Opening Safely, Strategically

Katie Hendrick Vincent is the senior contributing writer and editor for the Society of American Florists.