And so it goes on. As we enter the final weeks of the lockdown 2.0, it’s not yet clear what lies ahead. One thing you can be sure of though, is that social distancing measures won’t be disappearing any time soon.
Maintaining space and protecting those around you is essential, especially if you are a business trying to weather these trying times. At M&P Fittings, we understand the demands and restrictions being placed upon you are a challenge (we’re a business too!). But finding ways to enhance safety might not be as difficult as you think.
Here we look at some simple steps you can take to reassure both staff and customers. Read on to find out more…
What are social distancing rules?
The 3 main steps we must all follow to help avoid the spread of coronavirus, are:
1. Wash your hands – be sure to keep regularly washing hands and do a thorough job, it should take at least 20 seconds. Try humming happy birthday all the way through twice.
2. Cover your face – wear a face covering in enclosed spaces
3. Make space – stay at least 2 metres apart, or 1 metre if wearing a face covering or taking other precautions.
Social distancing is essential to reduce the threat of catching or circulating the virus, as it can easily spread when people are close together. An infected person can pass on the virus by talking, breathing, coughing or sneezing. Which is why keeping your distance from anyone outside of your household is key to staying safe.
From Thursday 5 November to Wednesday 2 December national restrictions are in place, asking us to stay at home as much as possible. After this period though, it’s likely that we will return to a regional tiered approach, with many shops and businesses opening back up. But, to ensure we don’t go back into a third lockdown, social distancing will remain a top priority.
What measures can your business put in place?
Many of us are familiar with the sight of masks, they have become a part of everyday life, but what else can you do:
– Perspex screens
These are a great idea and offer excellent levels of protection. They are particularly ideal if space is hard to come by for your business, as you can reduce to 1 metre yet still remain safe. Use them to segregate office desks, protect front line staff serving customers or as discreet barriers between restaurant tables.
– Move outdoors
Not always practical in winter but worth considering nonetheless. By pitching up a gazebo and maybe even adding a small heater, it could give you the flexibility to put a few café tables outside or additional space to showcase stock. Spreading out gives people a little more room to manoeuvre and keep their distance. It also offers the safety of being out in the fresh air.
– Enhance your hand washing facilities
Have your toilets seen better days? Encourage more hand washing by creating more attractive bathroom facilities and avoid old cubicle hardware that may easily harbour germs and be more difficult to clean.
– Keep spaces well ventilated
Guidance recommends keeping areas well ventilated, so be sure to open windows and keep air moving.
How can M&P Fittings help?
Recognising the demands being placed on businesses, we’re doing everything in our power to help – and that includes offering cost effective solutions to help achieve social distancing.
We can provide:
– Privacy screens
Ideal for larger expanses of protective screening. We can supply panels with legs or floor to ceiling posts. The government’s message is quite clearly safety first, but if you’re concerned screens might be detrimental to your business, we can help to make them appear a little less imposing. How? By offering a range of colours to choose from. Opt for bright and cheerful to give a positive vibe or tone it down with a shade that blends in with the surroundings.
– Perspex screens
Currently in high demand, we can provide Perspex sheets and all the brackets you need for fixing anywhere.
– Posts
We can supply floor to ceiling posts, ideal for holding larger panels in place.
– Brackets
Already have your screens? If you just need the fixings to hold your screens in place, we have everything you need available to purchase separately. Stainless steel channel brackets, L brackets and leg supports are all available. We also have bolt through t nuts, if you need a sturdier fixing. Visit our aluminium and stainless steel fittings pages to find out more and place an order.
– Toilet cubicle hardware
Don’t forget, small steps like replacing rusty or damaged toilet hardware, are simple but effective. Going a long way to promote confidence and ensure excellent hygiene levels are maintained.
Put your social distancing measures in place today
Got a question or keen to find out more about the social distancing measures we can help your business to put in place? Then why not talk to the team today? Call us on 0151 345 0699, email sales@mpfittings.co.uk or fill in our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.