COVID-19 - Arkansas Department of Health: Arkansas Oil Marketers Association Notes Release of Guidance for Retail Stores

The Arkansas Oil Marketers Association noted yesterday the release of Arkansas Department of Health (“DOH”) COVID-19 Guidance for Retail Stores (“Guidance”).

The Guidance interprets a directive that was issued on April 5th in terms of its applicability to retail stores.

Retail stores are directed by the Guidance to implement social distancing protocols which include:

• Limit the number of people who can enter the facility at any one time to ensure that 6 feet social distancing can be maintained. Consider implementing a “One Person Out/One Person In” policy. Although garden centers are generally “open-air”, they are confined spaces and should be held to the same restriction.
• Areas where lines may form should be marked on the floor to provide customers 6 feet of separation in all directions. Where this is not possible due to the proximity of the point-of-sale machines, some point-of-sale machines should be closed to provide 6 feet of separation between customers.
• Two-sided checkout lanes should be restricted to one side only.
• Provide mask and gloves to employees who wish to use them.
• Provide an alcohol-based hand sanitizer for employee and customer use when entering the store.
• Implement contactless payment systems or provide for disinfection of all point-of-sale machines including pens and styluses after each use.
• Clean and sanitize surfaces that are frequently touched (counters, doorknobs, toilets, point-of-sale machines, etc.). Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogen claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for these products. For a list of EPA-approved emerging pathogen sanitizers: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
• Post a sign at the entrance of the facility informing all employees, customers, and congregants that they should avoid entering the facility if they have a cough or fever; maintain a minimum six-foot distance from one another; sneeze and cough into one’s elbow; refrain from shake hands or engaging in any unnecessary physical contact.

A copy of the Guidance can be found here.