Last Updated March 25, 2020 3:20 P.M.
QuickLinks to Resources Below
- Where to Go for Information about COVID-19
- Keep Your Business Running: Ideas for You to Consider
- Current State Lockdown Orders
- Tell NATSO
- Economic Impacts
- Human Resources
- Health & Safety Precautions
- Business Operations
- Medical Resources
- Foodservice
- Subscribe to updates from NATSO
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Where to Go for Information About COVID-19
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Link to States and County Public Health Departments’ COVID-19 websites, executive orders, restrictions, and other information, courtesy of the Retail Industry Leaders Association
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Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Coronavirus website
NATSO Webinars & Conference Calls
OPIS to Host Free Webinar on How COVID-19 is Affecting the Downstream Market
OPIS is hosting a webinar on the likely effects of COVID-19 on the downstream fuels market and IHS Markit's analysis on the short-term outlook for U.S. refining product demand, margins and runs. The webinar will be Thursday, March 26 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT. To register, please follow this link: COVID-19 Markets in Disarray Webinar | OPIS by IHS Markit.
Keep Your Business Running: Ideas for You to Consider
- Install sneeze guards at cash registers between employees and customers.
- Let your customers know everything you’re doing to keep them safe. Use e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, your website, and posted messages at your locations to communicate that their health and the health of your employees is your #1 priority. Here’s an example.
- Offer curbside (or parking lot?) pickup.
- Tell your customers you prefer cashless payments. If you have card readers that enable “tap to pay,” put up signs to encourage customers to use it and other forms of contactless payments (but some cities and states have prohibited the practice of requiring cashless payments, so just make the suggestion).
- Replace your regular menus with paper menus. Use disposable plates, cups and utensils.
- Suspend use of customers’ personal cups and require fresh, disposable cups.
- Close your drivers’ lounges, game rooms or other places where people congregate. Eliminate in-store dining.
- Instead of providing self-serve condiments, provide them in to-go bags or as a side in sit-down restaurants.
- Eliminate self-service grab-n-go food, buffets, soup and salad bars.
- Consider limiting your hours of operation. This can give your employees time to restock shelves and thoroughly clean and disinfect. Remember to communicate the new hours—and explain that you’re taking these steps to safely and better serve your customers.
- Provide disposable gloves to employees. Provide disposable gloves and face masks to those who are cleaning and disinfecting.
- Set up hand sanitizer stations near entrances.
- Thoroughly clean and sanitize your locations frequently throughout the day. Don’t forget fuel pump handles and digital screens.
- Consider helping the community by selling products you may not normally carry such as cases of water, 48ct toilet paper, gallons of bleach, hand sanitizer in 32 oz, etc. This will help relieve the stress being placed on traditional retailers and ease the minds of panicked shoppers.
- If weather and state emergency directives permit, consider offering outdoor seating.
- Finally, be vigilant about ensuring that employees who feel sick stay home.
Tell NATSO
We also want to hear from NATSO members. Tell us:
What issues are you facing?
How can NATSO help?
What questions do you have?
Fill out the form here or reach out to Amy Toner, NATSO’s vice president, publishing and digital content, at (703) 739-8570 or atoner@natso.com.
Economic Impacts
- Facts and Insights About COVID-19 from McKinsey & Company, including potential impact of virus outbreak on 2020 GDP
- What Coronavirus Could Mean for the Global Economy from Harvard Business Review
Human Resources
- Ogletree’s COVID-19 FAQs on Federal Employment Laws: information about how to deal with employees with COVID-19 symptoms, when an employee who was sick may return to work, requiring a doctor’s note before allowing employee to return to work, and many other issues.
- Comprehensive and Updated FAQs for Employers on COVID-19 from Fisher Phillips
- Employment Issues Arising Out of the Coronavirus from DLA Piper
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Federal requirements designed to protect workers from potentially infected individuals.
- New federal leave requirements: We put together this 1-page chart to help you learn about new federal employee leave requirements that take effect on Apr. 2. The Department of Labor also released its first round of guidance today on the new law, including a Fact Sheet for Employees, a Fact Sheet for Employers and a Questions and Answers document.
Health & Safety Precautions
- Posters and Handouts from the CDC: including “What to do if you are sick,” “Stop the spread of germs,” “Symptoms of COVID-19 Poster,” “Wash Your Hands,” and others.
- How to Clean and Disinfect from the CDC.
- Cleaning and Disinfection After Persons Suspected to Have COVID-19 Have Been in Your Facility.
- Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19
- OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19: See page 9 for “Steps All Employers Can Take to Reduce Workers’ Risk of Exposure”
Business Operations
- Prepare Your Supply Chain for Coronavirus from the Harvard Business Review
- FMCSA Waives Hours of Service Rules for Trucks Delivering COVID-19 Supplies
- Compilation of Restrictions by State
Medical Resources
- Information on COVID-19 testing by state
- From Johns Hopkins: What to do if you feel sick?
- Telemedicine Companies: Compiled by Healthline, these healthcare providers can discuss non-emergency medical issues with patients by phone or online (could be especially helpful for rural areas).
Foodservice
- Can the virus be spread through food? According to the CDC, there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food
- Coronavirus and Pandemic Preparedness for the Food Industry Handbook: Specifically written for grocers. See especially sections on “Supporting Our Consumers” on page 8-9; “Supporting Our Associates” on page 9-12; and “Key Retail Store Recommendations” on page 14; “Key Product Supplier Recommendations” on page 16.
- Food and Drug Administration COVID-19 Website
What are NATSO Members Doing?
- Roady’s Truck Stops provides “7 simple things to think about in the event that Coronavirus spreads closer to home.”
- Fill out the form here to submit what your truckstop is doing
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