If you are a small business owner, you understand that re-opening your business will not be successful unless customers return.
Protecting the health of your customers and employees is not only the business owner’s responsibility, it is also good for business.
Testing all employees for Covid-19 is an essential part of an effective business plan for trying to get back to some semblance of normalcy.
While state and local governments are now holding free, drive-through testing by appointment, this is not an efficient and practical answer for small businesses.
Testing all employees with the most sensitive PCR test at roughly the same time at your location is the most efficient way to give you confidence that all employees have been tested and the results are 100% accurate. From that point you can start new protocols that your customers will appreciate.
While there is a small fee per employee for conducing the tests, there is no charge for a lab to do the analysis. The labs are paid by the employee’s insurance or by the federal government at no charge to the employee.
My family dog kennel in Columbia had all our employees tested for Covid-19 this past week by Lovelace Family Medicine, which has provided the same service to other small businesses.
The healthcare professionals came to our location, explained to all the employees why it is important to be tested and how to minimize exposure to the virus.
Nasal and throat swabs were used, depending on the wishes of the employees, and then sent to the lab for analysis. Within 36 hours we had the results. I am happy to report all the tests were negative.
We have now shared this good news with all our customers and explained our new business protocol for guarding against spreading the virus.
Lovelace Family Medicine has outfitted a van for the employees to be tested privately at your business. The healthcare professionals were on time, respectful of the employees and efficiently conducted the tests so as not to disrupt business activities.
The testing service includes the development of recommendations for business protocol, an individualized password-protected website for resources and follow up of any positive test by telehealth every 3 days until the end of quarantine.
Dr. Lovelace’s team is available to travel anywhere in the state. The testing fee ranges from $50 to $100 per employee based on the number to be tested. There might be an additional fee for travel outside of the Midlands.
I encourage all businesses open to the public to have their employees tested. It is clear that until widescale testing for Covid-19 is put into place, we will not be able to stop the virus from spreading.
Small business owners can lead in this testing effort for the good of their customers, employees, and the nation’s health and economy.
If you are interested in contacting Lovelace Family Medicine, click here or call them at 803.364.4852.