As the United States faces another surge of COVID-19 cases across the country, businesses may again confront increased safety restrictions, capacity limits and possible shut-downs. Even the companies that are allowed to remain open throughout the crisis may struggle to stay afloat, as fearful or reluctant customers choose to stay home.

DeCurtis, which offers innovative solutions and services to create safer indoor environments, has developed a Health & Safety Maturity Model™ that provides a set of standards that venues across industries can use to re-establish trust with their employees, guests, customers and the public.

The model offers seven progressively more advanced actions businesses can take, which should be used in addition to standard safety measures such as wearing masks, social distancing, increased sanitization efforts and enhanced ventilation. As a starting point, let’s focus on the first three suggested requirements of what we at DeCurtis consider a minimum standard:

1.) Digital Health Reporting

It is crucial that businesses have a manifest of all people on their premises and that any health screening information is collected and tracked digitally. This can include information gathered from health forms, questionnaires, and in the near future, digital health passports. Medical facilities can also make use of Assisted Check-in technologies for safer, more efficient processes.

2.) Perimeter Temperature Screenings

While some businesses simply ask people to self-report symptoms or manually perform temperature screenings, a no-touch, automated temperature screening kiosk, such as the DeCurtis Shield™, should be placed at all entry points as a powerful and visible first line of defense. It can provide fast and accurate results with lower risk to employees and patrons, as well as help secure the boundary of any indoor environment.

3.) Secure Data Storage

Digital health information and screening data must be stored in a secure and timely manner and be available for export to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or a governing body, as required. This information can prove that a business is taking extra precautions and may even help protect the company from potential legal action in the event of an outbreak. (See Protect Your Business from COVID-19 Liability)

Proper Training is Paramount

Once businesses have established new health and safety protocols, it is vital for employees to be adequately trained in administering safety solutions and ensuring policies are followed, and technology can assist with this. For example, businesses that require employees and patrons to wear masks can utilize DeCurtis Shield™ to detect whether or not individuals are wearing masks during temperature screenings and alert staff if someone is entering a facility without a mask. Additionally, designated employees should monitor the data the kiosk collects, ideally shortly after peak entrance times, to ensure protocols are being followed – i.e., people without masks or who have a fever have not been allowed inside. If employees are correctly trained and leading-edge technology is employed, businesses can significantly mitigate the risk of a disease outbreak on their premises.

To learn more about our Health & Safety Maturity Model™, DeCurtis Shield™ and other Safety and Security Technology we offer, visit our website or contact us today.