Question: How can I reduce transmission of COVID-19 from handling goods and merchandise that come into my shop?

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery
section_headers: 5. Cleaning the workplace
5.5 Handling goods, merchandise and other materials, and onsite vehicles
section_content: In this section

5.1 Before reopening
5.2 Keeping the workplace clean
5.3 Hygiene handwashing, sanitation facilities and toilets
5.4 Changing rooms and showers
5.5 Handling goods, merchandise and other materials, and onsite vehicles

5.5 Handling goods, merchandise and other materials, and onsite vehicles
Objective: To reduce transmission through contact with objects that come into
the workplace and vehicles at the worksite.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Cleaning procedures for goods and merchandise entering the site.


Cleaning procedures for the parts of shared equipment you touch after each use.


Encouraging increased handwashing and introducing more handwashing facilities for workers handling goods and merchandise, or providing hand sanitiser where this is not practical.


Regular cleaning of vehicles that workers may take home.


Enhanced handling procedures of laundry to prevent potential contamination of surrounding surfaces, to prevent raising dust or dispersing the virus.



Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has detailed information that specifically addresses handling of goods during the pandemic.
This is a good response and gives an adequate list, although not very detailed, of ways to reduce transmission of COVID-19. The list could be longer but it does have accurate suggestions.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Acceptable

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Shops and branches
section_headers: 5. Cleaning the workplace
5.5 Handling goods, merchandise and other materials
section_content: In this section

5.1 Before reopening
5.2 Keeping the workplace
5.3 Hygiene: handwashing, sanitation facilities and toilets
5.4 Customer fitting rooms
5.5 Handling goods, merchandise and other materials, and onsite vehicles

5.5 Handling goods, merchandise and other materials
Objective: To reduce transmission through contact with objects that come in
the store.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Encouraging increased handwashing and introducing more handwashing facilities for workers and customers or providing hand sanitiser where this is not practical.


Limiting customer handling of merchandise, for example, through different display methods, new signage or rotation of high-touch stock.


Putting in place picking-up and dropping-off collection points where possible, rather than passing goods hand-to-hand.


Staggering collection times for customers collecting items, with a queuing system in place to ensure a safe distance of 2m.


Setting up ‘no contact’ return procedures where customers take return goods to a designated area.


Encouraging contactless refunds, where possible.


Storing items that have been returned, donated, brought in for repair or extensively handled, for example tried on shoes or clothes, in a container or separate room for 72 hours, or cleaning such items with usual cleaning products, before displaying them on the shop floor. Materials used for cleaning can be disposed of normally.


Providing guidance to how workers can safely assist customers with handling large item purchases.


Considering placing protective coverings on large items that may require customer testing or use, for example, furniture, beds or seats. Ensuring frequent cleaning of these coverings between uses, using usual cleaning products.


Cleaning touchpoints after each customer use or handover. For some examples, such as rental equipment, and test drive and rental vehicles, interior and exterior touchpoints should be considered.



Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has detailed information about handling goods safely during the coronavirus outbreak. Detailed, on-topic answer.
This response almost answers the question verbatim to what is being asked. It gives a very detailed list of things that can be done to reduce transmission of COVID-19.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Shops and branches
section_headers: 8. Inbound and outbound goods
section_content: Objective: To maintain social distancing and avoid surface transmission when
goods enter and leave the site, especially in high volume situations, for
example, distribution centres or despatch areas.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Revising pick-up and drop-off collection points, procedures, signage and markings.


Minimising unnecessary contact at gatehouse security, yard and warehouse. For example, non-contact deliveries where the nature of the product allows for use of electronic pre-booking.


Considering methods to reduce frequency of deliveries, for example, by ordering larger quantities less often.


Where possible and safe, having single workers load or unload vehicles.


Where possible, using the same pairs of people for loads where more than one is needed.


Enabling drivers to access welfare facilities when required, consistent with other guidance.


Encouraging drivers to stay in their vehicles where this does not compromise their safety and existing safe working practice, such as preventing drive-aways.


Definitions
Refers to areas and amenities which are provided for the common use of more
than one person including canteens, reception areas, meeting rooms, areas of
worship, toilets, gardens, fire escapes, kitchens, fitness facilities, store
rooms, laundry facilities.
Refers to people who have specific underlying health conditions that make them
extremely vulnerable to severe illness if they contract COVID-19. Clinically
extremely vulnerable people will have received a letter telling them they are
in this group, or will have been told by their GP. Who is ‘clinically
extremely vulnerable’?
Refers to people who may be at increased risk from COVID-19, including those
aged 70 or over and those with some underlying health conditions. Who is
‘clinically vulnerable’?

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has detailed information about how to handle goods during the coronavirus pandemic.
This response thoroughly answers the question. It gives several suggestions and tips on how to safely handle merchandise to keep workers and customers safer.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent