In an effort to help curb the unprecedented negative impact on public health and the economy since the start of the pandemic, OBID has most recently partnered with Qualaris Healthcare Solutions, UPMC, and the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association to create the Oakland Safety Compliance Program funded with a grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. The program is designed to aid in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 by delivering digital tools that help businesses implement all applicable, up-to-date guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Chosen in consultation with UPMC and PR&LA, guideline content included in the program is designed to promote behaviors that reduce spread, maintain healthy operations and healthy environments, and preparing businesses for responding to sick customers and employers. Quality assurance is measured through daily digital “safety compliance spot checks” designed to help staff effectively implement safety guidelines every day, identify problem areas, and stay current with state and federal guidelines. Additionally, a third-party “secret shopper” component of the program aims to ensure that participating businesses are consistently and completely implementing safety guidelines and operating in full compliance with state and federal health guidelines once critical program milestones are reached.

The rigorous quality data will be used in Safety Marketing Reports and posted on-premise or on social media to create transparency and help employers, customers, and the community understand the steps our businesses are taking to keep them safe. Complete Program Design details can be found on Qualaris’ Safety Compliance Hub.

See a complete listing all Oakland businesses who are currently implementing safety guidelines as a part of the program here and enter your email address below to be kept up-to-date as new businesses are being onboarded every week.