#Don'tStandSoClosetome : The New Social Distancing Protocol Sign requirement

As of March 31, 2020, many SF Bay Area “essential” businesses that remain open despite “shelter in place” orders must now complete, post and enact a social distancing protocol.  The requirements for the social distancing protocol are as follows:

• “Install signs at each public entrance telling employees and customers that they should not enter if they have a cough or fever, must maintain at least a six-foot distance from each other, use a cloth or tissue if they cough or sneeze and not to shake hands or have other physical contact.
• List steps taken to protect employee health, including directing anyone who can work from home to do so, separate workspaces by at least six feet, increase frequency of increased cleaning and availability of soap, hand sanitizer and other supplies that are effective against COVID-19.
• Explain what the business is doing to limit the number of customers in a store, including setting a maximum number of people who can be inside, posting an employee at the door to ensure the maximum number of people inside isn’t exceeded and setting limits on items that may generate crowding.
• Enact rules to keep people at least six apart and explain how they will ensure it happens. Among the recommendations – provide markings on floors and sidewalks and separate order and delivery areas.
• Prevent customers from self-serving food items, have staff hand out lids and food-bar items, prohibit customers from using bulk food bins or prohibit customers from bringing their own bags, mugs or other reusable items from home.
• Increase sanitizing measures such as providing disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer and disinfecting all payment portals, pens and styluses after each use.”  [FN1]

The social distancing protocol template for posting may be found here.  Many have already voluntarily complied with aspects of the protocol before the protocol was issued, but now, retail stores across the Bay Area must now mark six-foot increments where lines may form, provide hand sanitizer at or near the entrance of the stores, and regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces such as counters and dispensers.  [FN2]


Footnotes:

1. See https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/03/31/coronavirus-see-the-bay-areas-new-essential-business-social-distancing-protocol-form/
2. See https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/san-francisco-introduces-stricter-social-distancing-rules-to-slow-spread-of-covid-19/

​Smith Shapourian Mignano PC is available to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding the social distancing protocol poster requirements.

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