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This page offers all of Delaware Public Media's ongoing coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak and how it is affecting the First State. Check here regularly for the latest new and information.

Div. of Small Business reminds consumers to look for Consumer Protection Standard Shield

State officials remind Delawareans there is a way to seek out businesses making an effort to protect their safety.

State officials renew their effort to encourage Delaware businesses to participate in the Customer Protection Standard Shield program.

 

The state’s Division of Small Business launched the program back in May as Delaware began its reopening plan.

“And it’s a way of letting consumers know that the business that they are going to or looking to go to - is taking certain steps to make sure that their place of business is safe for customers and staff,” said Damian DeStefano, the director of the Division of Small Business.

 

He says the Customer Protection Standards initiative is a voluntary, self-reporting program where businesses pledge to put 10 healthy practices in place, such as requiring employees to wear face coverings and wash their hands frequently and disinfecting high-touch areas regularly.

 

DeStefano explains why he believes the program is useful.

 

“One of the problems that we were going to face was consumer confidence; people who were still - despite the messaging around reopening - hesitant about going out and doing what they used to, which is understandable. And so I think there are many people who are still hesitant or are still not going out as much as they’re used to,” said DeStefano.     

 

Participating businesses get a window cling shield to help consumers feel safe visiting. 554 businesses have already signed up and are displaying the sticker.

 

And consumers can log on to a searchable database to find businesses participating in the program.

 

DeStefano says the Delaware Division of Public Health monitors these businesses to make sure they abide by the rules.

 

Kelli Steele has over 30 years of experience covering news in Delaware, Baltimore, Winchester, Virginia, Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California.