UK
The Guild of Cleaners and Launderers (GCL) has been investigating protective shields that would be suitable for retail shop premises opening up as lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted.
The Guild’s Ken Cupitt says: “If you are thinking about staff protection when the current lockdown is over and if part of your future plan is putting in a protective screen a member sent to us information on one for all reception, retail and shop counter areas, essential PPE to run our business.
“The screen manufacturer is Uni Box, based in Middleton, Manchester. Two screen sizes available 600 x 600 at £30 + VAT = £36 800 x 800 at a slightly thicker grade perspex at £59 + VAT = £70.80.” Contact Danielle between Monday-Friday 8am/4pm on 0161655 2122 not available in the offices at the weekend.
Cupitt commented that Linen Connect is supplying high quality KN95 and disposable protective masks that they say meet the recommendations set-out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other bodies for protection against bacteria and viruses, a concern for anybody dealing face to face with customers and handling soiled textiles at this this time.
Roger Cawood, FGCL, remarked: “I think it is important to recognise the high level of apprehension felt by many throughout the population in relation to social distancing. The Chief Scientific Officer stated on 5 May that the risk of contracting Covid-19 at 1 metre is 10-30 times higher than at 2 metres. Making sure our customers feel safe when they enter our premises by asking them to wear a face mask/covering, clearly marking 2 metre spacing and advising them when to enter the shop will go a long way to reassuring them.” (Cawood has written a piece on returning to work in retail shops and has some suggestions on how to diversify business. Look out for it in the June edition of LCN.)
In other GCL news, the first of the new text books from the suite of four new Guild Educational Books, “The Science of Laundry” and “Professional Wet Cleaning”, are available. A “Question and Answer Book” covering wet- and drycleaning and laundry is now completed and available to order.E: enquiries@gcl.org.uk
