Are Sneeze Guards Required?
In most state and local municipalities sneeze guards are required to be used in retail establishments that sell food. These can include restaurants, coffeeshops, grocery stores, convenience stores and even liquor stores or other types of establishments. Use a sneeze guard to help stop the spread of viruses, germs and disease at stores. They help prevent airborne contaminants from traveling between individual people or between people and food. Buffet style sneeze guards are designed to work above display cases and tables where prepared food is displayed. Checkout counter sneeze guards are designed to either mount directly to checkouts, tables and counters or be suspended above them.
How High Does A Sneeze Guard Have To Be?
Sneeze guards are an appropriate solution when used on prepared food display cases and buffet tables. Additionally, CDC and WHO guidelines for social distancing generally recommend that sneeze guards be used to create a physical barrier between employees and cashiers at retail and the customers who shop there. They help to reduce the incidence of transmission of viruses, germs and disease during the checkout process at retail. Most ADA compliant checkout counters are 38 inches high but transactional counters and table tops can range from 30 to 42 inches high. To effectively help block the spread of disease, a checkout counter sneeze guard should extend above the countertop to a height of at least 72 inches when measured from the floor.