Calfornia has finally allowed businesses to open their doors and allow customers to shop. It is a huge relief to most owners as they can return to a typical routine and recoup some of their lost profits. However, there has been a speedbump for these entrepreneurs.
According to CNBC, many company owners are frustrated by the patchwork of local and state rules surrounding mandating face coverings in public places. It creates more tension and pressure for business owners to determine how and when they monitor face masks in their establishments.
What do business owners want?
Due to the inconsistency between local, state and federal governments, businesses are implementing their mandates for face masks and how to enforce those mandates, often with low success. Huge companies like Costco are making headlines as customers refuse to wear masks, despite the company-wide policy.
The same is true for small businesses as many customers are not sure when or where to wear their masks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, face coverings should be used along with other preventative measures, such as social distancing and quarantining.
It leaves many entrepreneurs in a bind as they have to weigh mandating masks for indoor shopping and turn away customers when they need money the most.
Some businesses are trying to portray masks as a non-political statement. Wearing a mask should not reflect what party you represent; instead, it should allow you to contain the spread and preserve the health of your customers.
If state governments started taking a leadership role in mandating face coverings, it could make it easier to monitor and enforce customers to bring masks with them, whenever they go out in public. It wouldn’t have to become a debate or heated argument between employees and normal people.
Until we see more change, companies need to rely on themselves and strong policies to contain the spread and the health of their employees.