DSHS provides businesses retail-to-go information

The city of Graham shared information on the retail-to-go model for Texas retailers which was included in an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott during a press conference on reopening the state economy Friday, April 17. The information by the Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt, M.D., provides guidance on what retail stores can and cannot do while reopening.

The guidance is for employers, employees and customers of retail businesses who are planning on reopening under the executive order and does not apply to businesses considered essential. The guidance is based on the current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and follows guidelines  made by DSHS.

“This model will allow retail outlets in Texas to reopen beginning Friday, April 24,” the city wrote on a April 22 Facebook update. “Under this model, reopened establishments are required to deliver items to customer’s cars, homes or other locations to minimize contact. Any retailers considering utilizing the ‘Retail-To-Go’ model should review the following guidance located on the Texas Department of State Health Services’ website.”

DSHS safety procedures for reopening retail businesses

- All employees must be trained on environmental cleaning and disinfection, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
- Before coming into the business, all employees are required to be screened for new or worsened cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, feverish feelings or a measured temperature greater or equal than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or has had known close contact with a person who has been confirmed by a lab to have COVID-19. Employees who meet any one of these criteria, DSHS said must be sent home.
- Employees must wash or sanitize hands when entering the business and must wear face coverings.
- Employees must maintain at least six feet of separation from one another in accordance to CDC guidelines.

How the public can obtain items from reopened stores

DSHS lists three ways customers may obtain items from retail businesses which will be allowed to reopen from the executive order. Those three ways are from a retail location for pickup, delivery by mail, or delivery to a customer’s doorstep without entering the premises. After each method the customer is required to wash or sanitize their hands after the transaction.

Retail-to-go method

Through the retail-to-go method, all payments have to be done over the phone or internet, if possible, with contact being minimized if remote payment is unavailable. Items should be delivered by the employee to either the backseat or trunk of the customer’s vehicle, when possible, in order to minimize physical contact.

Retail delivery to customer by mail or doorstep

Through the delivery method, all payments should be performed over the phone or internet, if possible, with contact being minimized if remote payment is unavailable. Items purchased must be delivered by an employee or third-party carrier to the customer’s doorstep. The employee who delivers the order must not enter the customer’s home or business.
For retail delivery by mail, all payments must also be done over the phone or internet. Purchased items must be delivered by mail without customer contact.