Polokwane shops implement healthy measures to combat corona virus
Review spoke to various shops in Polokwane to find out what measures they have implemented for their customers' and staff's safety.
POLOKWANE – With the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, everybody has become more aware of sanitising every surface they touch. At shops across the city, owners and managers implemented extra measures to encourage customers to sanitise their hands and to ensure a safe, germ-free shopping experience.
At Vleislapa Welgelegen, co-owner, Amanda van Tonder explains the plans they made.
“We have trolley wipes and hand sanitiser and we made a passage for customers to walk through at our entrance, so that people can easily sanitise their hands. We also have special cleaning products for the till-counters and every cashier has hand sanitiser to regularly clean their hands.”
Pick n Pay Cycad bought some posters to put up in the store to educate customers on the virus. They also have cleaning stations at the doors where customers can clean their trolleys and hands.
“We are running low on stock on the hand sanitisers and wipes, but we encourage people to use the products at the door. We also set a limit to bulk buying as everyone needs to be able to buy food. We have plans so that we do not run out of products,” says Manager, Sarette Enslin.
One customer at Platinum Park Spar, Jack Malamela, says he is very glad to experience the cleaning stations at the store. “I feel safe and will come back anytime to shop here.”
Owner of the Spar, Riaan Piek explains they make double sure all the procedures and guidelines are in order where the staff prepare the food. “We go out of our way to have products such as masks, gloves and hand sanitisers in stock for those who still need it.”
M-Saeed Cellular Shop in Grobler Street Polokwane have all their staff wearing masks and gloves when they are in store and serve clients. This is to prevent the staff from catching the virus and from passing it on to their customers. Jan Mutewera, a staff member, said that their clients’ health is a priority to them. “The biggest thing is life. At end of day, the focus is on the people. What is important in this world is people and the lives of people,” he added
Checkers at Palm Centre said that they are very cautious for the sake of their clients. Their security personnel sanitise the hands of everybody who walk in and they have trolley wipes in plain sight so they are in view for the customers to encourage them to reach for them. “We also have hand sanitisers in all the departments as well as where the staff clocks in. We make sure that the staff washes their hands every hour,” said Crecious Mlondobozi, the Branch Manager.
The Engen garage on the corner of Grobler and Compensatie Street have given out hand sanitisers to all their petrol attendants, staff and at the tills. “We tried using face masks but they were counter productive because it formed a barrier of communication between our staff and the customers. We have since resorted to sanitising everything including the till areas twice a day.”
The Spar on the corner of Marshall and Boshoff Street has also handed out hand sanitisers to all the tills. They mentioned that there is also sanitisers for the customers at the entrance of the store along with hygiene wipes for their trolleys. “Our staff were informed about the virus, its prevention and precautionary measures to take.”
Total Janpret Garage Manager, Bella Ramothwala said: “We have improved our hygiene by providing hand wash soaps in every toilet for staff and customers to make use of. Our cashiers and petrol attendants are also provided with protective gloves and sanitiser. We have also advised them to change their gloves regularly. There is hand sanitiser and hand gloves for customers those who want them.”
Receptionist at Ladanna Med Clinic, Segodi Mphahlele said their manager provided them with face masks and gloves to wear when they are in contact with customers. The clients and staff are also provided with hand sanitiser and other than that, the staff are encouraged to wash their hands regularly with soap.
