What are Barrier Shields and Sneeze Guards?
As businesses prepare to reopen during the pandemic, it is a struggle to keep up with the latest safety guidelines from the CDC and figure out exactly what social distancing products you need. While masks, hand sanitizing stations, and social distancing signs have been the most widely adopted, there are other products that you are expected to use depending on your business.
In February 2020, the World Health Organization advised the use of “physical barriers to reduce exposure to the COVID-19 virus, such as glass or plastic windows”, which is in line with the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends to “Place a barrier (e.g. sneeze guard) between employees and customers”.
This rule applies to most businesses from retail, restaurants, hospitality, offices, schools, and universities, and basically any business where groups of people are interacting on a regular basis. How you choose products is based on the areas at risk in your business. To help you navigate this process, we’ve spoken with Joseph Weber, CEO of Rosseto Serving Solutions, a company that is at the forefront of developing modern safety products that are helping companies reopen responsibly.
Hello, Joseph! Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. I can bet that these products were not on the original line-up for 2020!
JW: It is a pleasure to be here, thank you. Yes, we were actually days away from launching our new catalog and 2020 collection of products when the shutdown initially began in March. It was a difficult period, but we powered through it. Being in hospitality for 20 years, it was hard to see so many of our friends and customers struggle to find their feet. That is what really pushed us to transition into manufacturing these safety products- to help everyone get back to business in the easiest, fast, and affordable way.
The new line is called Avant Guarde and includes a wide range of sneeze guards, partitions, and barrier shields correct?
JW: Yes, we tried to create a line that was a complete solution for not just hospitality, but other industries as well.
What is a sneeze guard?
A sneeze guard or sneezeguard is an acrylic (plexiglass) or glass screen designed to protect food or people from the exposure to respiratory droplets, which are dispensed when coughing, sneezing or even talking. Sneeze guards have been in use in restaurants for decades.
Are sneeze guards effective against COVID?
With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, sneeze guards are being installed in public places like offices, schools, and supermarkets to reduce the risk of infection through respiratory droplets. They are effective because they reduce exposure from person to person contact by deflecting respiratory droplets from breathing, coughing, sneezing, and talking.
What do sneeze guards look like?
Table DividersAlso called tabletop sneeze guards or shields.
A system of panels that are placed on tables.
Can be used in libraries, quick service restaurants, office workstations, and more…More Table Dividers >>>Booth DividerBooth Divider can be used in hospitality settings for booths and between shared work stations More Booth Dividers >>Safety Partitions and Room Dividers:Minimize exposure and maximize your safety style with Rosseto’s new line of Mobile Partitions and Room Dividers.More Partitions and Room Dividers >>
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There are different types of sneeze guards:
Countertop or freestanding sneeze guards:
These types of sneeze guards are made up of a clear plastic panel with a system designed to hold it up. Rosseto’s Avant Guarde Barrier Shields and Sneeze Guards have interlocking feet that are designed to hold the shield upright. There are many uses for freestanding sneeze guards. They may be used on reception desks, conference tables, and serving tables. A freestanding sneeze guard can be used anywhere on a flat surface. Most freestanding sneeze guards are used on desks or raised surfaces.
Safety Partitions and Room Dividers:
These are sneeze guards that go from the floor to above the head and act as a clear or transparent wall. They are designed to partition space from a seated level, like separating tables at a restaurant or workstations in an office.
Table Dividers:
Also called tabletop sneeze guards or shields, these are a system of panels that are placed on the table to protect people sitting side by side. They can be used in libraries, quick service restaurants, office workstations, coffee shops, conference rooms, and cafeterias.
Booth and desktop dividers:
These are acrylic or polycarbonate sneeze guards that attach to booths to use in restaurant or food service settings and can also be used on desktops and conference tables in office settings.
Where can you buy sneeze guards? Who manufactures sneeze guards?
There are many companies that are manufacturing sneeze guards and sneeze shields. You have to choose what style and type of shield fit your needs and budget. Rosseto Serving Solutions’ Avant Guarde Collection includes modern safety shields and sneeze guards that provide more design-friendly options at a lower price.
They are made from premium grade materials that are easy to assemble and fit any space and budget. They are available to order online at Rosseto.com or at Office Depot.
How much are sneeze guards?
Sneezeguards range in price depending on the manufacturer. It is always a good practice to compare pricing based on your needs and budget. Prices can vary from $50-$300.
How do you clean plexiglass or acrylic, sneeze guards?
Cleaning sneeze guards is easy. Disinfect the Plexiglas with a USPS approved disinfectant solution: for example, alcohol 70% or greater, properly mixed bleach solution, and/or Bioesque disinfectant solution. Avoid using abrasive solutions or sponges when cleaning the sneeze guard panels as they may scratch the surface. Instead, use a soft towel or microfiber cloth and move from left to right from the top to the bottom of the panel.
For more information or pricing on Avant Guarde Sneeze Guards, Barrier shields and partitions download the catalog here
