The novel coronavirus has caused massive societal upheavals, deaths in the hundreds of thousands and illness in over 15 million people worldwide. The public health crisis has an uncertain future. One thing is definite: social distancing helps to curb the spread of COVID-19.

About COVID-19

Remaining at least six feet apart from people in public places has been shown to reduce transmission rates of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Ample distance ensures that potentially infected human respiratory droplets do not reach the respiratory systems of others and cause illness.

Talking, coughing, and sneezing emit respiratory droplets and allow the particles to linger in the air for up to three hours. If the individual is sick with COVID-19, the infectious particles can invade the respiratory system of a person in close proximity and lead to mild or severe infection.

As a result, social distancing has become the norm, at least for now. Until a cure or effective treatment for COVID-19 is developed, social distancing mandates will continue throughout societies nationwide and worldwide. Social distancing will have a profound effect on public and private events.

How Event Venues Accommodate Social Distancing

Maintaining social distance is not an easy task. Event attendees are accustomed to packed stadiums and concert halls. These venues are undergoing drastic changes. Weddings and private ceremonies held in community centers, churches, or banquet halls, will also be different during the COVID-19 era.

Sports Arenas

Sports arenas will no longer be filled to maximum capacity. Stadiums limit capacity to 17 to 20 percent of what the arena is built to hold. Dire reductions in capacity will have an adverse effect on stadium revenue since incoming funds offset the costs of operational debt and retaining employees.

If the COVID-19 pandemic exceeds a year, sports teams will be forced to consider making permanent changes to fan seating. Long-lasting adjustments can affect capital investments. A fixed solution, such as removing seats, however, would allow for adequate social distancing.

A short-term approach would be to temporarily take out the seats. Modifying arenas using this tactic is cost-efficient and practical. Loge box seating, which is where four seats are separated from surrounding ones by six feet, would follow social distancing rules.

In addition to changing seating arrangements to accommodate social distancing, sports arenas are implementing cashless payments and online concessions ordering. Hygiene practices are receiving an overhaul, as arenas install touchless doors and automated technology to prevent person-to-person contact between fans and staff.

Movie Theaters

Movie theaters are responding to the coronavirus outbreak by showing movies on the same night and on multiple screens. Capacities are limited inside movie theaters to ensure moviegoers maintain proper social distancing. The safety of customers and staff is the number one priority.

AMC, Regal and Cinemark, which are among the nation’s largest theater chains, have closed in response to governmental advice and the coronavirus pandemic. But movies have been around for decades, and the current health crisis will not stop people from enjoying shows on the silver screen.

The resurgence of drive-in theaters demonstrates just how resilient moviegoers are. Drive-in theaters give film buffs the opportunity to be entertained while remaining more than six feet apart and avoiding the slightest possibility of microbial transmission. Bargain ticket prices make drive-in theaters even more enjoyable.

People who have never visited a drive-in are flocking to the outdoor movies. Drive-in moviegoers wear masks and queue up at proper distances at the snack bars. Drive-in theaters are one surefire way to escape being stuck at home and give businesses a chance to turn a profit.

Music Venues

Music venues are resorting to guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to review operational plans. In venues that can hold a maximum capacity of 300, only 75 people are allowed inside for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bands that play to huge crowds may now open to groups of no more than 50. Virtual entertainment is taking center stage for the time being, as the coronavirus makes safe social gatherings impossible. Virtual events include live streaming of local concerts and even the much-needed comedic shows.

While the majority of event venues are closed due to the COVID-19 health crisis, some are taking advantage of the situation. Renovations are being done behind closed doors. Repainting, replacing chairs, adding drop ceilings, and replacing lighting are efforts to help improve event venues.

The coronavirus pandemic will not last forever, and entertainment venues are looking forward to the day when they can welcome back sports fans, movie buffs, concert attendees and theater goers. Those renovating hope to make their space more welcoming and user-friendly for patrons upon their return.

Help with Renovations

If you are among business owners who choose to renovate while your event venue is closed to the public, look to Chicago Office Movers. As an office mover, we provide a range of comprehensive services to assist with all aspects of office renovation and remodeling.

Crews from Chicago Office Movers are available to temporarily move large furniture around through our decommissioning services while your renovations are underway. Our team members are capable of lifting heavy goods with the help of advanced moving equipment. We also move furniture of all sizes.

Business owners place full trust in the professional moving crews at Chicago Office Movers, since each member of our team is background checked, licensed, and experienced. We are also union movers. When you need a hand before or during your renovation, Chicago Office Movers is ready to help.

Most importantly, Chicago Office Movers is careful to practice safety measures to protect our clients and team during the coronavirus outbreak. We clean and disinfect moving trucks daily, our moving crews practice social distancing to avoid contact, and restrict sick personnel from working.

Get a Free Estimate

Choose Chicago Office Movers when you are ready to renovate or remodel. You can expect competitive pricing, efficient service, and safe practices. As a commercial mover, we also provide reliable commercial relocation services.

Call our friendly representatives at 312-244-2246 for a free estimate.

The coronavirus pandemic has hit the airline industry doubly hard. Approximately two million passengers had passed through the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) checkpoint on March 30, 2019. On the exact day this past March, a meager 154,000 air travelers did the same.

Business people travel for either work or other professional reasons. But since the coronavirus pandemic peaked in the first quarter of 2020, airports had seemingly turned into ghost towns. Rather than concourses filled with people, just one or two individuals were present.

How the Pandemic Affected the Airline Industry

Adding further tension to the already worrying situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic were the increased stress levels of flight attendants, customer service personnel, and pilots. Shops in airports were also closed, leaving only the solitary coffee stands to provide air travelers with a jolt of caffeine.

As the worst of the pandemic seems to be over or at least somewhat under control, more business people are choosing to fly now than during the height of the pandemic. This past May, 14 percent of consumers say they will board a plane once flight restrictions are lifted.

Changes within Airports

While airline executives believe it could take years for air travelers to resume flying as frequently as they had done in prior years, planes are still taking off—albeit with significant changes. Basic adjustments are being made, but major changes will take some business passengers by surprise.

The changes to business travel are likely to be permanent. These alterations will be apparent as soon as the air travelers arrive at the airport. Large international hubs will see drastic changes. All these efforts are intended to help passengers feel and remain safe from COVID-19.

1. Changes to Flight Experiences

Measures to reduce contact between airplane passengers, crew members and airport employees are being enforced. While social distancing is a key factor in preventing the spread of COVID-19, doing so on a 186-seat Boeing 737 airplane is difficult. However, airlines are exploring new seating arrangements.

For instance, airlines might reduce cabin capacity by leaving the middle seat empty. Future design enhancements to seating could include facing the middle seat backwards or adding a plastic shield around seats. But such retrofitting is expensive and could affect ticket prices.

Occasionally, packed planes will fly, angering passengers. New airline policies are in place, where passengers are notified if their flight will be over 70 percent full. But most major airlines limit the passenger capacity to 60 percent, and more flights are being added to meet demand.

2. Modifications at Airports

At the airport, the TSA will limit contact between air travelers and airline personnel by having the former scan their own boarding passes, whether paper or electronic. Efforts to reduce touch points while screening also include passengers placing phones, keys, and wallets into carry-on bags.

Food items are known to set off the alarm in the x-ray scanner. To prevent TSA officers from removing and handling the food, officers now request that all food items be placed in clear, plastic bags. Passengers should remove the bags of food from carry-on luggage.

When checking in, business travelers can expect to see sneeze guards at the counters. TSA officers will be wearing face masks, and passengers are encouraged to do the same. More touchless kiosks will be added to US airports to allow passengers to print bag tags with a smartphone.

3. Implementation of Health Screenings

Health screenings at the airport will be commonplace. Airline personnel are exploring thermal scanning and temperature checks at airports. While the risk of exposure to the coronavirus is not fully avoided, airlines can request that travelers with elevated temperatures reschedule.

Airlines will prevent travelers with temperatures of 100.4 degrees or higher from flying. Temperature checks are done safely using touchless thermometers prior to passengers boarding. Temperature screenings are imperfect, given that a small percentage of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have fevers.

Passengers boarding major airlines will be required to complete a checklist prior to entering the aircraft. The checklist displays COVID -19 symptoms, and the traveler must declare to not have experienced any symptoms or been in close contact with an infected person within the last 14 days.

With the addition of health screenings, business passengers can expect longer lines. The coronavirus may be sniffed out by dogs in the foreseeable future. The rationale is to train bomb-sniffing dogs to detect the coronavirus. Research on these capabilities is currently underway in labs.

4. Assessments of Business Flights

Not every part of the world is equally affected by COVID-19, making air travel to some regions safer than others. However, the situation can change rapidly, as researchers uncover more details about the novel coronavirus. Business travelers are urged to assess all business trips for risks.

If a business trip has multiple risks, consider canceling the flight. Business professionals should also consider national and international guidelines prior to booking their trips. Those evaluating whether or not to fly should give significant weight to their comfort levels in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Also consider business travel insurance in the event flights are canceled due to the coronavirus. Certain companies offer specialized travel insurance to businesses, given the fact that business trips occur more frequently and are thereby subject to cancellations more often than leisure travel.

Need Help with Moving Your Business?

Company executives may have plans to scout a new business location, necessitating business travel. When it’s in your company’s best interests to relocate, consult a premier office relocation service, like Chicago Office Movers. We are open and ready to relocate your company in the safest ways.

Chicago Office Movers takes care during the coronavirus pandemic to disinfect moving trucks, practice social distancing and take employee temperature checks prior to each shift. Our moving crews are trained, licensed and background checked to ensure a secure commercial move.

Free Estimate

Consult the Windy City’s most reputable commercial mover, Chicago Office Movers. We provide quality corporate relocation services, whether you are moving internationally or interstate.

Call our friendly representatives at 312-244-2246 for a free moving estimate when you are preparing for an upcoming relocation.