Survey: hygiene measures in light of the coronavirus

Does your staff receive regular training on current stipulations, the necessity to adhere to anti-coronavirus measures and hygiene concepts?

Nearly all participants declared that updated hygiene concepts notices are well visible for all and the member of staff are regularly informed over changes. The spokesman of a large fast food chain adds:

All members of staff receive regular training on updated guidelines by means of check lists and confirm training with their signatures. Restaurant managements, franchise operators and local advisors review  implementations on a regular basis.

A large bakery chain mentions hygiene checks that were frequently conducted by quality management at the start of the pandemic:

They were meant to provide support to franchise partners in implementing measures. Our area managers, in addition, coach facilities. The implementation of all hygiene measures is reviewed at every visit and extra training provided if necessary.

How do you ensure that measures are implemented in such a way that they are effective?

A large retail store chain states that:

Our employees are obliged to observe strict hygiene standards in accordance with the Infection Protection Act all year round. We have, in addition, provided employees with hand sanitisers, hygiene gloves and nurturing hand creams (as well as face masks). Stores will add further measures if needed.

Compliance is also crucial in the fast food industry. “If employees fail to follow guidelines, they receive extra training and made aware of how important it is to abide by guidelines”, as a spokesman explains.

How do you respond when employees or customers deliberately ignore the regulations that apply?

Since general social distancing rules and the mandatory use of face masks apply nearly all participants agree to exercise property rights and to ask customers to leave the premise if necessary. A spokesperson from the bakery industry states that:

Clearly visible general up-to-date regulations have been put up in all stores. Customers are kindly advised to take note of the regulations that apply. Should some customers refuse to wear masks or to abide by social distancing rules, which still apply on a national level, the franchise partner or his employees may exercise property rights and ask customers to leave the store. This is necessary to protect staff and customers.

A fast food representative illustrates a similarly strict response since “guests […] are advised to abide by the rules – access to a restaurant is prohibited if an amicable agreement cannot be reached.” A retailer rather relies on his customers’ common sense:

Floor stickers highlight the minimum distance as preventive measure to protect staff. Due to the current situation we clarify this with signs and in-store radios. Our customers can thereby also provide a valuable contribution in keeping their distance and act in considerate and respectful manner.

Were your sanitary article suppliers able to provide you with all products at the start of the pandemic?

“Due to our forward-looking planning and close cooperation with our standing supplier we were able to cover our required supplies of sanitary products and prevent a shortage,” as a fast food chain explains. Good planning also guarantied supplies in the bakery industry:

Despite squeezes in the market we were able to supply all stores with face masks when they became mandatory. Hygiene is of course of great importance in our area anyway. We were well equipped from the very start and experienced no shortages. There are no supply squeezes at present, and we are very well provided for.

Is attention being paid to using disinfectant with at least limited virucidal activity to curb the spread of viral Covid-19 agents?

Since not all agents are effective in curbing the coronavirus or other viruses precise criteria need to be in place in selecting the proper disinfectant to be used. Most participants were rather evasive in answering this question. One fast food restaurant, however, confirmed that the disinfectant it used has limited virucidal activity. A bakery chain, in addition, reported that it uses hand sanitisers and surface disinfectants that contain alcohol (propanol and ethanol), which also have virucidal efficacy.

How do you help staff and customers to follow guidelines?

A large retail group states that:

Due to the decentralised cooperative structure I do not have any information on any ‘critical events’ in the stores. Our employees are generally required to ensure that operations are failure-free in the stores (including self-preservation and customer protection), which may mean that property rights may also be exercised.

A bakery chain relies on clear signs:

Every store is provided with hygiene signs, walking directions and the current access policy. Customers are advised on applicable guidelines and asked to follow them for the benefit of all before entering the stores. Pictograms are standard to help everyone pick up important information. Some stores also have displays providing customers with the latest information.

The AUDITOR thanks all participants. Please understand that only excerpts are given due to capacity reasons.