IMC Implements “Together Safely” Protocols

Published on : Saturday, June 6, 2020

International Market Centers (IMC) recently released its “Together Safely” plan for reopening its buildings in Atlanta, High Point and Las Vegas and preparing for Summer 2020 markets in the new normal COVID-19 situation. The plan, which details safety measures and operational protocols for IMC facilities, staff, customers and third-party vendors, was developed by an IMC task force in consultation with a top epidemiologist and in concert with government mandates and public health recommendations.

“As we prepare to reopen our campuses and our markets, the health and well-being of our customers and staffs are the top priority for IMC,” said Bob Maricich, IMC CEO. “The Together Safely plan aims to address every moment of the campus experience and sets guidelines for each interaction – from arrival to departure – to ensure that we are creating an environment where all steps recommended by health and local officials have been taken to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from one individual to another.”

IMC has continually monitored guidance issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), government leaders, industry groups and other experts throughout the COVID-19 crisis. In preparation for reopening of its facilities, IMC created a cross-functional team to produce a set of protocols which have been vetted by state and municipal officials as well as the Emory University School of Medicine and Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta.

The resulting plan dictates that IMC reopen its campuses in four phases – pre-opening preparation, resumption of year-round business, recall of employees and resumption of markets – with specific guidelines for tenants, attendees and staff during each phase. Additionally, IMC has added physical mitigants on the campuses including the development of new contactless registration procedures, requirement of personal protective equipment (PPE) for all attendees and staff, expanded sanitization policies and the implementation of social distancing and traffic control measures. The Together Safely protocols are mandatory for all during their time on each IMC campus and serve as recommended guidelines for tenants developing protocols for their own showrooms.

Tags: business, COVID-19, furniture and accessories, High Point Market, IMC, novel coronavirus, pandemic, USA