We all know we’re in an unprecedented time. We hear about it on the news. It’s in ads all around us. We’re living it daily both at home, at work (nowadays, these are the same place) and at our place of worship. As we are closer and closer to gradually moving on to the next phase, we can’t help but look to the future. What do we need to do to get ready for the “New Normal”?

Our strategic partner Warehouse Direct has put together a list of areas to look at in your church as you get ready to define what your “New Normal” looks like. And don’t worry, they have experts on hand to help you navigate the whole way.

Set Up for Social Distancing

Reopening safely means looking at your workspace and the common areas of your church to ensure they are optimized for social distancing. We’ve created effective spaces for many clients and can help you adapt your facility for today’s guidelines. Some things to think about:

• Do you have open seating areas that require barriers?
• Do you need additional permanent or movable partitions?
• Do you need to add barriers at the end of the aisles?
• Do you need barriers for in-person meetings?
• How will you handle in-person collaboration?
• Do you need to look into easily cleanable surfaces?
• Do you need signage or floor decals to direct traffic, tape to mark off seating for social distancing?

Prepare for Protection and Prevention

Infection control is going to be a key factor when you reopen. Incorporating health screenings, keeping PPE supplies ready, adding hands-free dispensing, and reducing touchpoints are essential. Look to us for solutions that help minimize transmission. Some areas to consider are:

• Is your bathroom optimized with hands free paper dispensers instead of air dryers?
• Do you have hands free soap and hand sanitizer dispensers in your bathrooms, kitchen, entrances?
• Have you thought about installing foot pedals on your doors (especially bathrooms) to open without contamination?
• Will you need to upgrade existing food service items like individually wrapped disposable utensils?

Make Clean a Priority

Cleaning is critical to providing a safe transition. In addition to disinfecting, sanitizing, and hand hygiene, what cleaning products do you need for the “new normal”?  Some things to think about:

• You’ll probably need to increase your cleaning schedule. Do you have a written checklist so all areas are cleaned?
• Are there cleaning machines you need to help keep productivity high without adding labor?
• Are you fully stocked with sanitizers, disinfectants, soaps, and cleaning supplies?
• How are you going to keep your spaces more organized for easier cleaning?

Plan for Safety Supplies

PPE, disinfectants, and sanitizers will now be an office staple, and you’ll want at least a 30 to 60 day supply to avoid running out of difficult to find products. Our storage, dispensing, and disposal solutions will help you manage these supplies and provide easy access in public areas and at personal workspaces. Some areas to consider are:

• Do you have a stock of PPE supplies like masks or face shields?
• Do you know the different brands of sanitization wipes or hand sanitizer that is available?

Communicate Clearly

Gathering places are changing and it will be important to keep your congregation and workforce informed of the new safety requirements for anyone visiting your church. Our signage and whiteboards are a smart way to communicate new protocols, social-distancing reminders, cleaning guidelines, hallway traffic flow, and more.

• What are the areas that require additional signage?
• Do you have areas where people naturally line up or congregate around?

Ready to get situated for the “new normal” in your church? 

Contact: Debbie Cladis, your Warehouse Direct Account Manager to discuss solutions for your phased in facility reopening plans.