COVID-19 has transformed the way people interact with each other. Businesses need to implement safety protocols that ensure social distancing and protection from direct exposure to the virus that spreads fast through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Setting up sneeze guards at places where people need to be relatively close to each other can help establish a more hygienic environment. It can be useful to know what sneeze guards are and how they can protect your employees, customers, and visitors.

What Are Sneeze Guards 

Sneeze guards are clear thin sheets made of plastic or glass intended for installation in areas where employees and customers meet for discussions or transactions. The purpose of installing sneeze guards is to prevent people from transmitting infections to each other and limiting the spread of germs. Because sneeze guards are transparent and not soundproof, people on either side can converse normally, without being infected by viruses in the breath, cough, or sneezes. You can customize the sneeze guards according to the needs of the location regarding shape, size, and method of installation. It is also possible to have sneeze guards with small openings to allow people to pass documents, cash, and other small items across the counter.

Businesses That Benefit the Most from Sneeze Guard Installation 

Sneeze guards can suit any kind of business or organization where people need to interact without being able to adhere to social distancing protocols. Typically, installing sneeze guards is useful in places like banks, restaurants, salons, grocery stores, offices, etc. Sneeze guards are also useful when you need to protect your employees working in an open office as they can separate the employee workstations.

Restaurants: Installation of sneeze guards is particularly recommended in a restaurant where people are close to each other and the food on a buffet. Long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, the first sneeze guard was seen in 1958 at a restaurant in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. In addition to sneeze guards protecting the food laid out on the buffet tables, other places in a restaurant like the cash counter, food counters, and take-away booths also benefit from the installation of sneeze guards.

Salons: Given the proximity between the staff and customers in salons, especially in common service areas, like waiting rooms, reception areas, and even between styling chairs, it can be a good idea to install sneeze guards. Even though it may not be possible to install sneeze guards when customers are getting their hair cut, it may be possible to do so when they are getting a shampoo, a manicure, or a pedicure.

Grocery stores: Because grocery stores have high traffic, cashiers are especially at high risk of infection. Installing sneeze guards can be an effective method along with masks and sanitizers to protect them and customers.

Offices: Installing sneeze guards can be particularly effective in isolating employee workstations. They can keep employees from spreading germs. According to Forbes, physical barriers like sneeze guards are especially effective in limiting the spread of germs.

Conclusion 

Because of the simple construction, sneeze guards are extremely versatile and can be installed in all places where people are in close proximity to each other to prevent the spread of germs.