It’s been a long time coming, but America is now finally turning off the pause button. So the Global Association for the Attractions industry released its COVID-19 Reopening Guidance. As the nation slowly starts reopening, there are considerable methodologies to take into consideration to make ticketing reopening as successful and safe as possible, so we’ve taken a look at the reopening guidelines to bring you the key information you need to know.
If you are a part of the ticketing or global attractions industry, here are the top post-pandemic principles you should adopt to ensure that you will be able to address all cultural concerns, build customer confidence, and give your business the best path to prosper again.
Top Considerations for Successful Reopening
First and foremost, you need to establish clear communication with both your customers and your employees. Ensure that there is no confusion, ambiguity, or gaps that are not addressed when it comes to reopening safety and new procedures. Once you have nailed down your communication strategy, you can move onto addressing things such as:
- Requiring the use of face masks to be worn inside your facility.
- Having sanitizing wipes or solutions more accessible.
- Managing the number of people allowed inside at one time to keep social distancing practices still intact.
- Enhancing automation and providing contactless solutions such as online ticketing software and touchless payment options.
- Installing protective coverings and barriers to improve safety and promote distancing.
- Investing in more sanitization training for your employees to learn new protocols to reduce the spread of germs.
- Developing an emergency plan if someone inside your business gets sick. For example, you might want to update your employee sick leave policy to state that if someone falls ill, they will not be allowed to come back to work until they have been symptom-free for 72 hours.
- Designating an isolation space for both guests and employees displaying COVID-19 symptoms, so they can safely be away from others while further assessment occurs.
- Adding temperature checks for each employee or guest entering the facility.
General Safety Precautions for Employees
Many of the same guidelines for guests apply for employees, such as wearing facemasks, hand washing, and practicing social distancing. There are some more specific things you can do for your team to promote a successful reopening.
- Orchestrate reopening training for your employees so they are clear about the new regulations and understand the new hygiene aspect of their roles. This should include what to do if they feel ill, wearing face masks, washing hands, social distancing, and sanitization processes during their shifts.
- If applicable, you might want to separate your team into groups away from one another. This will reduce the risk of every employee getting sick if someone tests positive for COVID-19. Alternating schedules can help with this, as well.
- Reduce the need for sharing equipment, such as computers and phones. If sharing is inevitable, make sure your employees know to sanitize after they use it.
- Have documentation of all the high touch areas that need to be cleaned, at what times, and what cleaners to use for your employees to reference.
- Have rotating employees who will be designated for cleaning high traffic areas, such as bathrooms. You may even want to upgrade to touchless bathroom appliances if you have not done so already.
Specific Considerations Based on Attraction Type
Sanitization and the COVID-19 recommendations above are applicable to all businesses and industries. However, based on your attraction type, it can alter the way in which you operate these new reopening tactics.
- Amusement/Water Parks: Here, social distancing should remain in effect, but masks might not work well. To remediate, clean locker rooms, post reminder signs for guests to stay distant, and adjust/sanitize lounge areas. Again, also consider leveraging technology and ticketing protocols with the help of a technology partner to reduce human contact.
- Food and Beverage: In this industry, reduce seating, take advantage of online ordering and reservations so people will show up during their allocated time and not be waiting around, avoid self-serve buffets, install sneeze guards, and use touch-free payment options for both employees and guests.
- Retail: For retailers, the best thing you can do, in addition to the general protocols above, is to limit customers in the store, make sales final (no returns), and let customers put the items they bought in bags themselves.
- Gaming/Arcades/Family Entertainment Centers: COVID-19 considerations specific to this sector include online ticketing, adding in barriers between gaming stations, and/or only allowing socially distanced seating.
- Theatre, Shows, and Animal Experiences: While it was just announced that Broadway theatres will remain closed through January 2021, one can never start planning too early for a safe reopening. For this category, both indoor and outdoor venues need to apply COVID-19 guidelines. Reinforce social distancing, and perhaps set an enter and exit process to reduce crowding. For employees, avoid sharing costumes and headset equipment and sanitize props before and after use.
Working with An Experienced Technology Partner
Though there is still no cure or vaccine for COVID-19, people are getting anxious to get back to a regular routine, even if it will be tailored to leverage safety. For the ticketing and global attractions industries, it is highly suggested you follow the recommended guidelines listed above so you can not only survive in the new post-pandemic normal but thrive as well. But let’s be realistic for a moment. Yes, you can do all of these on your own, but if you want the best fight chance at making this a seamless process, have an experienced technology partner by your side to support and guide you through the reopening stages.
Easing Changes
Working with a technology firm like LockData can significantly reduce or even eliminate any of the potential risks that could arise in your ticketing reopening goals and make it as secure as possible. In addition, they can organize, implement, and optimize your technology systems to be even more efficient in daily operations than before COVID-19 struck. So, bring in a technology partner who can innovate for your business, and give yourself the peace of mind knowing that you will cultivate a smooth, successful reopening.
The LockData Difference
When you work with LockData, you’re not just hiring a development company, you’re gaining a partner that is dedicated to and invested in your business’ success. Our passion is building innovative solutions with our partners and clients backed by equally lasting relationships. We specialize in:
- Event Ticketing: We are experts in the event ticketing industry. E-commerce solutions, system integration, and custom software development.
- Web Applications: Our web developers offer world-class programming and software solutions to add form and function to any project.
- API Integration: Implementing APIs for multiple platforms. Our services include API Interface design, development, and integration.
We also provide our clients and partners with a wealth of other services including web design, managed services such as Search Engine Optimization, Content Marketing, and Social Media, CRM Management, Group Sales solutions, and more. Whatever your reopening needs are, we can create the right solution for you. Contact us today to experience the LockData Difference.