We are seeing a steady rise across the country in Covid 19 infection levels and increasing numbers of local lockdowns. These local lockdowns have a devastating effect on businesses already struggling to survive and we do not want this to happen here.
In order to remain open and for customers to feel safe, businesses have already been required to reorganise layouts and staff rotas, increase cleaning regimes and ensure social distancing.
All customers entering business premises must wear face coverings, this is the law.
If customers are protecting your employees by wearing face coverings, shouldn’t these employees also be protecting your customers (and each other) by wearing face coverings?
Customers feel more comfortable when staff wear masks.
Station to Station ran an online poll which was shared on local forums and promoted to customers within a 4km radius of West Norwood and Tulse Hill. It reached 7,600 people with 1,000 post engagements. It showed over half of your potential customers do NOT feel comfortable entering premises where the staff do not wear face coverings, and this might make them avoid your business altogether.
18.9% I don’t like it but doesn’t stop me visiting a business
51.6% It makes me uneasy and I might avoid that business
29.5% I am not bothered
Government recommends that employees wear masks
“It is not mandatory for workers in pubs, restaurants or takeaways to wear face coverings where they are not part of usual health and safety measures. However, businesses should consider recommending their use where other mitigations are not in place, for example screens or visors. ”
But do masks work?
There are many reasons why people don’t want to wear a face covering, but new research from Oxford & Cambridge Universities show how important mask wearing is to control the virus. Other countries who have used masks from the beginning of the pandemic have lower rates of infection.
It may be uncomfortable to wear face coverings all day, but if it saves lives and helps stop another lockdown, it may well be worth it.
We will do a social media feature on any businesses whose staff consistently wear face coverings, which will get a boosted social media post to reach 5000+ local residents in a 4km radius.
Please note that it is already mandatory (from 15 Aug) for all close contact services, including hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, tattooists, sports and massage therapists, dress fitters, tailors and fashion designers must wear face masks and visors (Hairdressers Journal article, official gov.uk guidance).
From 8 August, face coverings are mandatory for customers visiting: nail, beauty, hair salons and barbers; massage therapists; tattoo and piercing parlours. Face coverings should not be removed unless essential for a particular treatment – for example, for a treatment on the face area covered by the mask. (gov.uk guidance)
