SANITIZE YOUR STORE PROPERLY By Charles S. Donnavan Many billiard stores were forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the stay-at-home orders enacted by state governments, but with stores starting to open, it’s important that owners understand how to clean and sanitize the store correctly so that employees and customers are safe. Routine cleaning and disinfection of surfaces can help slow the spread of COVID-19, which is why cleaning and disinfection should be done at least after every work shift daily or as needed. The first thing that should be done, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a thorough cleaning. The CDC recommends wearing disposable gloves when performing the disinfecting duties, and starting by cleaning all surfaces with soap and water. All counters, billiard equipment and tables should be disinfected as well, and repeated at the beginning of every day. More frequent cleaning and disinfection may be required for high-touch surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc. Sanitizing reduces the amount of pathogens (harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi) to a safe level. Factors such as water temperature, water hardness (minerals in the water), pH (acid level in the water), concentration, and contact time are critical factors that must be met to ensure a proper level of sanitization is achieved. One way billiard and home leisure stores can properly clean the shop and restore customer confidence is by adding a bipolar ionization indoor air quality (IAQ) device into building HVAC systems. These devices have scientifically proven to neutralize viruses, germs, bacteria and contaminants in buildings, according to Tom Abate. “While how it works is highly complex, in layman’s terms, bipolar ionization devices, installed in building HVAC systems, perform like the old Pac-Man game: Ions (nature’s disinfec44 | BCA INSIDER • EXPO ISSUE 2020
tants) are emitted into the air and neutralize coronavirus and replace it with clean, pristine, fresh air,” says Tony Abate, a certified indoor environmentalist as designated by the Indoor Air Quality Association and an expert on the airborne transmission of coronavirus. “The ions break down the protein surface of the virus so that it is unable to infect individuals even if ingested. Bipolar devices also provide an added continual protection on surfaces, which is key in billiard stores, as compared to over-the-counter wipes and commercial cleansers that lose effectiveness over time.” To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among employees and those entering the store, procedures and supplies should be in place to encourage proper hand and respiratory hygiene as well. Here are some tips, according to Tom Abate, for keeping things clean, sanitized and safe: Provide hand sanitizing and cart/basket sanitizing stations at the store’s entrance with prominent signage promoting usage. Have procedures in place for sanitizing checkout stations, including any credit card payment pads, counter tops and other frequently touched surfaces after each use. Consider alternative service models for older adults and those with serious chronic medical conditions. These may include pickup and/or delivery services, and providing dedicated hours of operation after performing the recommended cleaning and disinfection.
