Are you being forced to close your business temporarily? We’ve compiled a list of best practices and tips to keep your business safe and make it easier to reopen when the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Here are ways to bolster your security protocol and guard against loss.

Temporary Closing COVID-19 Checklist:

• Keep the lights on
• Remove ALL cash and receipts
• Do not leave any valuables clearly accessible or visible or accessible
• All safes and tills should be emptied and moved off-site for safe storage
• Keep all cash drawers open to show that nothing is in the drawers
• All ATMs should be emptied and moved off-site for safe storage
• All alcohol products removed from bar areas should be put in secured storage areas (no alcohol left visible from outside)
• Consider putting up “NO CASH or valuable on premises” signage
• Deactivate all scheduled FOB door openings (ie. Cleaners, deliveries, etc.)
• For kitchen areas, disconnect all kitchen gas lines from their gas source
• Make regular site visits to monitor your shop/business and to manage inventory and storage conditions (consider scattering the times this is done to not establish a pattern)
• Renewing insurance? Change to monthly payments rather than paying once a year
• Check your mailboxes often or consider having the post office hold your mail
• Shut off water (only if appropriate and does not affect other tenants in the building)
• If absolutely necessary, check with your bank about deferring mortgage payments
• Check with your municipality to see if you can defer tax payments