Tips For Forecourts During Covid-19
Forecourts and C-stores are deemed essential businesses during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and, as such, must take extra precautions to ensure the safety of every aspect of their operation and their customers. Here are a few simple tips to help you improve hygiene, safety and operations during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Dispenser Hygiene:
It’s critical during this time to ensure you clean your dispensers and nozzles regularly. Gilbarco Veeder-Root US suggests using either of these two methods, as recommended by the CDC:
- Preferred Method: Clean the dispenser with soap and water and disinfect by wiping 70% isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) on the dispenser. Do not spray it on, make sure to leave it on for at least 20 seconds and then rinse with water using a bucket and a sponge – never use a pressure washer or sprayer.
- Alternate Method (If preferred method above is not possible): Clean the dispenser with soap and water and disinfect by wiping a bleach solution (directions below) on the dispenser. Do not spray it on, then rinse with water using a bucket and a sponge – never use a pressure washer or sprayer.
- Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
- 4 teaspoons bleach per quarter of water
- If the bleach to water ratio is greater than this, damage to the dispenser may occur
- Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
-
Other cleaning considerations for retailers:
- Do not use fuels, acetone or other types of alcohol (such as ethanol)
- Do not use any cleaner or polish with a citrus element
- Do not use cleaners containing ammonia, sodium hydroxide or acids. Things like glass cleaner contain ammonia and will cause damage to dispensers
- Do not use strong solvents
- Do not spray any cleaner or water into the card reader, receipt printer, cash acceptor or displays
- Should the dispensers be self-operated, ensure that you make hand sanitiser available to customers for use before and after refueling. Also continue advising customers to regularly wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds through messaging, posters and flyers.
Point of Sale Hygiene:
Your employees will continue to use POS systems during this time. Help to #FlattenTheCurve by implementing a regular cleaning schedule of POS and related C-Store equipment.
- Preferred Method: Clean the device with mild soap (pH-neutral is best) and water using a dampened microfiber cloth
- Disinfect by wiping 70-90% isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) on the unit with a microfiber cloth taking care to disinfect both the touchscreen and PIN pad as well as other high-touch areas
- Take caution not to press hard on displays or PIN pads to prevent damage
- Employees may use common disinfectants like Clorox wipes on the outside casing.
- Alternative Method: Clean the device with mild soap and water using a dampened microfiber cloth
- Disinfect by utilizing wipes containing less than 1% sodium hypochlorite such as these
- If wipes are unavailable, then you may utilize a diluted bleach solution on a microfiber cloth. This solution must be heavily diluted, as directed by the CDC
- Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
- 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
Find safe, innovative ways to serve customers:
In the MEA region, petrol station attendants are the heart of our forecourts. With traffic to forecourts slowing down, why not provide customers with improved services with the resources already available on-site? Customers can refuel and have their c-store goodies delivered to them in their vehicles while they fuel up. Or implement a call, email, or WhatsApp service whereby customers can pre-order items and have them delivered by the petrol station attendant when they refuel.
Consider safer technology for refueling in the future:
Gilbarco Veeder-Root offers Automatic Vehicle Identification whereby there is no need to touch the payment terminal or to come in any direct contact with petrol station attendants. Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) offers hands-free payment for refueling and eliminates potential misuse associated with fuel cards.
Have more tips or ideas that petrol stations and convenience stores can keep customers and employees safe during the outbreak? Share them in the comment section or on our social media pages. We'd love to share your innovative ideas with our network!
Our teams in the US are also blogging regularly on