Returning to “Business as Usual” in the New Normal
April 12, 2021
As the world is slowly beginning to open, businesses in Ghana are adapting to the new normal. In fact, they have had to introduce various measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
Compliance with the law has been essential to protect stakeholders and reduce the spread of COVID-19. The new measures may have complicated some businesses. Some invest in them, and others have witnessed a reduction in their activities because of the changes. So what has helped businesses reopen their doors in the midst of the “new normal”?
Proper Sanitation And Enforced Social Distancing Businesses have introduced proper sanitization to prevent Coronavirus spread. They regularly disinfect frequently touched areas, such as doorknobs, countertops, and elevators’ buttons. Businesses have also introduced handwashing and sanitization stations at various places on their premises, such as entry points. Businesses have also introduced physical distancing requirements to comply with experts’ recommendations. They admit fewer clients, require appointments, and expand their waiting rooms to achieve this objective. Social distancing helps mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Continued Remote Work And Stricter Screenings Some businesses have enabled their employees to work from home. This option has been prominent among those offering nonessential services. The measure has allowed companies to avoid crowded workplaces and maintain operations regardless of the distance between employees. Businesses have also introduced strict screening procedures at their workplace. For example, people need to be within the prescribed temperature range and wear masks before entering some premises. They may deny entry to individuals that don’t comply with these requirements.
Regular Testing And New Methodologies To Shifts Some companies partner with relevant agencies to test their employees regularly. The partnership has been prominent among businesses whose workers have a lot of contact with other people. ECOWAS nationals pay $50 for the test, while non-ECOWAS citizens pay $150. If they test positive, foreigners pay for their isolation costs and treatment. The government covers the costs for Ghanaians that test positive. Workplaces have had to introduce a rotational work system for employees and technological alternatives for work. These measures reduce the number of employees at the workplace at a given period. Businesses have had to be creative to rotate their staff while ensuring they remain connected to the organization’s culture and principles. Fresh Ways To Serve Clients Businesses have been creative to attend to clients competently and make them feel safe. Some have strived to achieve these goals by encouraging customers to book appointments beforehand, reducing waiting time, and moving part of their services online. A good example of this shift would be the food businesses that made use of food ordering apps to process orders and adapting curbside pickups for orders. The new normal will effectively change businesses in Ghana. The need to implement various measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other steps is crucial in keeping employees and customers safe. Enterprises that don’t implement them risk getting government sanctions and losing clients to compliant competitors. It is best for businesses to review their new normal policies and tweak them as needed to avoid staying closed.
