Retail Drinks Australia (Retail Drinks) has redesigned and enhanced its Social Distancing Guidelines for Retail Liquor Stores, and is encouraging every retailer to now download the document.
Updated in response to new COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the Victorian Government and the continuing evolution of the pandemic in Australia, the guidelines also anticipate developments around the wearing of face masks.
Retail Drinks’ Acting CEO, Michael Waters, said in order to promote safe retailing across the country, the guidelines are available to everyone in the industry.
“Retail Drinks continues to proactively lead the industry in promoting responsible and safe retailing during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Waters told The Shout and National Liquor News.
“Retail Drinks’ latest initiative is an updated version of our recently launched Social Distancing Guidelines for Retail Liquor Stores.
“These Guidelines provide liquor retailers with an extensive checklist of practical steps and measures to be a COVID-SAFE retail liquor store, a range of posters and signage for in-store use, and information on recommended store safety and hygiene service providers. The latest version is available to everyone in the industry in recognition of the role we all have to play in ensuring retailing responsibly and ensuring the safety of staff and customers.”
In relation to face masks, Waters added: “Whether a government mandates the wearing of masks or a customer chooses to wear a mask, Retail Drinks has filled an emerging information gap to ensure that we retail safer.”
The guidelines contain a checklist of practical steps and measures that retailers are encouraged to take to promote social distancing. In addition there is guidance on ID checking, in particular relating to face masks as well as advice on suppliers and service providers for store safety and hygiene.
The guidelines also contain a range of posters and signage that can be used in-store.
Waters said that the guidelines are one part of Retail Drinks’ overall work during the pandemic.
“Retail Drinks will continue to consult closely with both government and industry stakeholders in order to promote best-practice and responsible retailing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
“As always, we continue to actively engage with key decision-makers across the country to ensure that all of liquor retail remains open as an essential service.”
Retail Drinks said it “strongly encourages” all retail liquor stores to take advantage of this resource to help ensure the safety of their customers and staff in stores.
You can download the Social Distancing Guidelines for Retail Liquor Stores from the Retail Drinks website.