The process of reviving a business after months of enforced lockdown is sure to present a raft of challenges to businesses up and down the country.

While the specific arrangements may differ greatly between different industries, and even between individual businesses, the priorities remain consistent for just about everyone. We all want to be able to do business while maintaining the safety of everyone involved.

But exactly how can that be done? Let’s take a look at a few key strategies.

1- Risk Assessment

Not all work environments are created equally. Some may present different risks, some of which might go undetected. Conducted a formal risk assessment prior to reopening will help you to identify where the areas of risk are, and how to effectively minimise them.

Ideally, a formal risk advisory should be conducted by an outside body, who’ll be able to provide an impartial perspective on the way your business is set up.

2- Formalize Hygiene Procedures

Putting in place procedures for the wearing of facemasks and washing of hands will help to ensure that these measures are observed. You might get posters printed and cleaning schedules drawn up for busy areas of your workplace.

Making hand sanitizer freely available will ensure that staff and customers are able to easily clean their hands, which can massively reduce the potential for transmission. With better hygiene practices you can create a safer workplace that can be more productive as well.

3- Keep Your Distance

It’s second nature for most of us to maintain a prudent distance of two metres or more from those around us. And this is still helpful, even if the official guidance has been limited to ‘one metre plus’ (the plus referring to the other measures we’ve already talked about).

Putting tape on the floor is an inexpensive and effective way of reminding everyone just how far two metres is, and it’s particularly helpful in high-traffic areas, such as the queues around checkouts.

4- Limiting Footfall

If your premises are too crowded, then it won’t matter how many anti-contagion measures you’ve put in place. Limiting footfall is therefore vital. Certain businesses, like hairdressers and beauticians, may elect to allow only customers who’ve booked in advance. Others, like shops, might operate on a one-in, one-out basis.

5- Working from Home

Over the course of the lockdown, millions of workers in the UK got acquainted with the process of working from home – and maybe it’ll be with us for awhile longer.

While the lockdown has, for the most part, lifted, there’s no reason for workers who don’t need to be in the office to stop working from home.

The practice limits numbers in a given workspace, and thereby lessens the risk of the virus being transmitted. This may be especially worthwhile in crowded workplaces.

The Bottom Line:

Business revival in the post Covid19 economy is challenging and requires more efforts than before, but with proper risk assessment and a safety strategy your business can be back on the track shortly.