From developing new operation standards to rigorously training their staff to follow protocols, International Optique Co. W.L.L. has implemented strict measures for the safety of their customers as they open stores on June 30, 2020.

With lockdown period gradually being eased in Kuwait, businesses are gearing up to open shops with new ways of operations even as fears of COVID-19 pandemic linger on.

Speaking to Eyezone, International Optique Co. W.L.L. CEO Ms. April Habig stated that they are preparing for the “new normal” way of business as it is expected to continue in the times to come.

“Our topmost priority is the safety of customers and ensuring our shops are fully sanitized with fully-trained staff to follow protocols of social distancing and reducing contact,” Ms. April explained.

She said that emphasis is not only given on safeguards such as wearing masks, gloves and face shields for staff members, but also precautionary steps such as sanitizing every frame touched by the customer with special eyewear disinfectant or by putting them through a UV-C sterilizer chamber before the next customer handles it.

Moreover, as per government regulation, customers will also be required to wear masks and temperature check before entering the store with a contactless thermometer.

Ms. April stated that their aim is for patients who need eye exam or customers who need to buy frames have peace of mind that they can visit International Optique stores with confidence since intense thought has been given to execute the necessary safety measures.

“We have brought in place simple but effective methods. So far, staff was given advanced training online, but we had an on-site briefing the day before re-opening to ensure proper execution. Our business provides service that forces us to at a very close distance to the customer so we went an extra mile to ensure all safety protocols will be maintained. Face shields will be worn in testing rooms and we have intensified cleaning procedures that include thorough cleaning of the space following every patient interaction, not to mention extra steps to sanitize every frame in store” Ms. April elaborated.

SAFETY MEASURES:

1) Encourage appointments for crowd control, easier to apply social distancing
2) Patients to be greeted by receptionists to take temperatures, take details for contact tracing
3) Provide sanitizers to use before entering shop premises
4) Implement maximum number of clients at a time entering the shops
5) Thorough sanitization between patients, and sterilization of the practice and office fixtures
6) Eye testing rooms to be regularly cleaned, breath shields available for specific machines, chin rests and disinfecting solutions available in every single room
7) Every eyewear brought in by clients for adjusting or refitting is to be cleaned and sanitized before handling and alignment. Likewise, every eyewear given to the client must go through the UV-C sterilizer as the final sterilizing process
8) Every frame or sunglasses tried by customers to be set aside and disinfected before it goes back on display
9) All practitioners to observe strict personal hygiene and infection control when attending to customers (e.g. washing hands or cleaning hands with hand sanitizers before and after attending to each customer, wearing appropriate face shields when in close contact with customers and practice physical distancing) 10) Precautionary signs to be visible for both staff and visitors to follow
11) Paperless payments either by card or online
12) Offer delivery service to reduce patient visits.

Ms. April emphasized that these steps are not too far from International Optique’s current standard cleaning and safety procedures, but it is the physical distancing and crowd control that needs to become a habit. “This may pave a way to start appointment only for eyewear consultation and eye testing, which may in effect be better for patients as more personal time can be allocated to them,” she said. <

April and the International Optique team have expressed that they are keen and motivated to see their patients again to provide professional eye care and carefully chosen eyewear.

Tel.: +965 25714007 /+965 97234753
Instagram: intoptique