The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on our everyday life, and now we have to follow some rules in order to avoid spreading the disease even further. According to scientists and doctors, it is important to keep a safe distance from other people. We have to stay at least 6 feet away from each other. But, how do you know that you are 6 feet away?
In order to help customers understand and respect social distancing, stores have put some tesa tape, on the floor. But how can you really use floor-marking tape? In this article we will explain how you can use it effectively.
Why is floor marking so effective for social distancing?
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), social distancing is the most effective way to stop the virus from spreading. On that note, the world had to go into confinement, and all the stores that were not absolutely necessary for people were closed, and major public events were postponed.
But for the stores that had to stay open, such as grocery stores, it was important to keep both employees and clients safe. This is how floor signs, floor shapes, floor marking strips, and floor tape began the ideal solution to ensure that social distancing is respected. But why are they?
They are extremely durable – As they are made from a very tough material, the floor markings can survive harsh environments. They won’t crack or fade under foot traffic or an unexpected spill. They will literally resist anything.
They convey a clear message – They are very effective if you want to create a one-way aisle or special spots for clients to wait at near the cashier, to maintain a healthy distance. With floor markings you can create icons or any other signs.
The use of floor marking tape for social distancing
In order to help you respect the social distancing rule, here are all the things you can do to ensure that clients respect the distance:
Indicate 6 feet: If people need to line up at the cashier, you can put strips of vinyl tape 6 feet apart from each other to show your clients where to stop. Vinyl tape is the most effective way to indicate a distance, as it is very easy to use, and it can come in bright colors with unique patterns. You can have all the options that you want, and they can be useful for a variety of applications.
Create boxes for people to stand in: Use four strips to create a box. Sometimes people get confused with line, as they wonder if they have to stand in front or behind the line. With boxes, they know exactly where to stand.
Floor Signs as a reminder: With your floor tape you can utilize another marking to make it more understandable. You can add “Line starts here”, “Please wait until called” etc. This is a time saver as people will understand right away, and employees won’t have to interact with clients. With floor signs and floor tape, you’ll have everything to promote social distancing in your workplace.
Effective social distancing strategies
Sometimes, putting tape on the floor is not enough if you want your customers to respect the social distancing rule. It is important to be more specific:
Know your audience: Who are the people who need to see these floor markings to respect the distance? What is the message you want to convey? Is it necessary to have bi-lingual or multi-lingual signs? You will have to setup and test your floor markings. If clients can follow your message with no verbal interaction, then you have done your best. If the floor signage is not effective, then reconsider or reconfigure your layout. You have to test, test and test again until you find the perfect configuration. We want to give everyone the best chance to be safe and minimize the risk of catching the virus or contaminate other people. Just make it easy to understand.
Use color-coding: Use color-coding tapes as often as possible, and also use symbols or words (for those who are color-blind). An easy color-coding can be like a stoplight: red for stop, yellow for caution, and green for go ahead. Also, consider using contrasting colors. If you have a light colored floor, use a dark floor marking, and if your floor is a dark then use a lighter, more contrasting color. Common contrasting and visually appealing color schemes include black/yellow, blue/white, red/white, and green/white.
Use symbols: Most of the time, a picture is worth all the words in the world. For example, a symbol can convey a lot of information quickly and effectively. For example, a red octagon means “stop”, and an arrow shows direction. There is no need to ask anyone for assistance, since these types of symbols are ubiquitous and easily comprehensible. Also, a very good symbol for social distancing is footprints; a floor marking with the shape of a shoe.
Make sure the signs have are sized correctly: You have to be sure that the signs are readable and noticeable from afar, especially if you have something written. Also, use a font style that is easy to read. In terms of size, a 166-font size is perfect. It is about 3” high and you can see it from a 25-100 feet distance. For more impact, you can also have the sign written in all caps.
These guidelines can be used in essential businesses, grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals, emergency departments, manufactures, post offices, airport security lineups and so much more.
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