Whether retail offices have remained open throughout the pandemic or are beginning to reopen now, NTCA members face several challenges in the process, and there are tools available to help you see it through.
On a recent episode of Critical Connections, NTCA’s members-only webinar series, Laura Withers, NTCA vice president of strategic communications, discussed some of the challenges of “reopening retail” with Lizzy Simmons, vice president of government relations and workforce development for the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Tamber Ray, NTCA regulatory counsel.
Simmons noted that retailers have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some operating throughout while others were forced by local mandates to close. NRF developed resources to help retailers safely reopen operations through its Operations Open Doors campaign to create a one-stop shop for both resources and to keep up with quickly changing state and local orders.
Much attention has been paid to the issue of whether to require customers wear face coverings, and this has been an area of focus for NRF. Some retailers have moved forward voluntarily requiring masks in their retail locations, Simmons said, at the same time as the nation saw an increase in the number of mandates requiring face coverings in public places.
Going forward, Simmons said NRF is very interested in ensuring there isn’t another mass closure of retail operations and that retailers can continue to serve customers safely.
Tools specifically for telecom companies are also emerging. The Communications Sector Coordinating Council (CSCC), of which NTCA is a member, developed “Return to Normal: Guidance and Resources for Communications Providers” to help telecom providers establish and implement a plan as they consider returning to the workplace following COVID-19 closures. Ray pointed out that the guide is specific to telecommunications companies and does not offer a one-size-fits-all approach, after NTCA sought feedback from members about their unique challenges recognizing that circumstances for telecom providers vary widely according to their size and location. The resources include state and federal government recommendations, articles, and questionnaires that companies can use to inform their plans.
When considering employee health, Simmons and Ray said many companies are embracing daily health screenings and attestations that go along with them. Keeping employees healthy is one of the more vexing issues for retailers, Simmons said, as government authorities continue to revise guidance related to symptoms and companies are sensitive to employees’ privacy.
What resources are available to help? NRF has provided ready-made resources for their members and the public, including a readiness checklist available on its website. NTCA has created a Coronavirus Resource Center which includes information about employee health and welfare and communications tools, and a link to the CSCC “Return to Normal” guide.
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CRITICAL CONNECTIONS WEBINAR SERIES
The Critical Connections Webinar Series is a live, weekly update on the most pressing issues for rural broadband providers, plus a deeper dive on essential information to help you stay prepared for whatever the future may bring. View more webinars like this one.
