From lost sales due to restaurant closures to beefed-up safety protocols in the plant and on the route, commercial laundry operators contacted in recent days by Textile Services Weekly said they’re scrambling to cope as best they can amid unprecedented challenges.

All laundry employees, and especially route drivers who are picking up soiled goods, should take extra precautions in handling textile items that possibly could include infectious materials. Given the COVID-19 outbreak, these precautions should apply across the board, regardless of sector. Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers these guidelines for keeping route drivers safe.

TRSA, the association for linen, uniform and facility services, has received unanimous consent from its Board of Directors to address a series of “patent-trolling” requests by a company known as the “Prova Group.” Over the last year, Prova has threatened several small family-owned companies in the uniform and linen business demanding money to avoid patent-infringement claims. According to experts, Prova’s assertion that their sports memorabilia patents apply to uniform and linen rental are baseless.

TRSA will host several market-specific teleconferences that will facilitate discussions and information-sharing pertaining to the linen, uniform and facility services industry’s COVID-19 response. The agenda for the calls will include highlighting best practices and identifying market-sector specific issues and opportunities to promote hygienically clean reusable textiles.

Highlights of a forthcoming article in Textile Services magazine. This report looks at employee safety/compliance issues in the wake of COVID-19.

TRSA recently added several new items to its COVID-19 resources webpage for its members in the linen, uniform and facility services industry. These resources, including a letter to President Donald J. Trump and congressional leaders as well as a detailed frequently asked questions (FAQs) section, can be found online at www.trsa.org/covid19.

Health authorities and state and local governments are recognizing the linen, uniform and facility services industry as an essential service. Consisting mostly of small, independent family-owned and operated businesses, the industry supplies, launders and maintains essential, environmentally friendly reusable textiles for industries that need these most, including restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, manufacturing, infrastructure, other businesses and government agencies. In addition to linens and uniforms, personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as hygiene, first aid and other facility services, are provided.

We would like to provide an update from TRSA during these challenging, rapidly evolving times. First, and most importantly, we hope you, your families and co-workers are healthy and safe.

Due to the ongoing global impact of COVID-19, TRSA has made the difficult decision to cancel its upcoming events in March and April.

TRSA’s latest webinar, titled “Coronavirus/COVID-19: Communication Tools for Your Customers, Employees and Leadership Teams,” featured a panel of experts to tackle many questions and concerns that members of the linen, uniform and facility services industry have had about this rapidly evolving global pandemic.