COVID-19 Reopening Guide
We’re all facing unique challenges right now as businesses are permitted to begin reopening following COVID closures. For business owners, the stakes are particularly high. We want to offer support and help in the ways we can.
This page will serve as a resource for common questions and issues you may face as you get ready to reopen your business.
Important COVID-19 Resources for Sellers
First, make sure that you review our COVID-19 Resources for Sellers. Published at the start of various country lockdowns, the Resources for Sellers will walk you through alternatives for payment processing, suggestions for prioritising your team’s health and much more.
Account and Hardware Setup
Due to UK lockdowns, it may have been a while since you last accessed your till software or hardware. Review our resources below to make sure you have the smoothest reopening possible.
Make sure your Square account is active and ready to go. Square cannot activate your account to accept payments unless you have a linked bank account. Double check and make sure that your bank account is linked and verified. You can also check the Notification Centre in your online Square Dashboard to make sure there are no pending actions required on your account.
Check that your Square Point of Sale app is up to date. If you’re running an older version of the Square app, this can cause potential problems when you try to connect your Square Reader or other hardware and take payments. You should also ensure that the Operating System of your device is up to date. Check how to update Apple devices and Android devices.
Make sure all of your Square hardware is set up and ready to use. Check out our Square Register Guide, Square Terminal Guide and Square Stand Guide to cover all of your setup and troubleshooting basics. You can also review these reader troubleshooting tips if you’re having trouble pairing your Square Reader to your device.
Utilise contactless payments where able. Square Reader, Square Terminal and Square Register accept contactless payments, allowing customers to complete their purchase without needing to enter a PIN to finish a transaction. The current contactless limit in the UK is £45. Square will work to roll out the ability for customers to make contactless card payments for up to £100 with Visa, Mastercard and American Express branded cards later this year in line with government requirements. Note: The contactless limits do not apply to contactless mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, when verified via biometric technologies (e.g. fingerprint, face ID).
Products and Feature Updates
Square has many products that you can utilise to make sure you reopen in a safe manner.
Self-Serve Ordering and QR Codes
Self-serve ordering offers a contactless dine-in experience that’s quick and easy to use. Instead of browsing a paper menu and placing orders with a staff member, customers use their mobile phones to scan a QR code at their table, parking spot or anywhere you want them to order from. Set up a self-serve QR code ordering system with Square Online.
Products to Help You Take Payments during COVID-19
Square has turned to our manufacturing and supplier partners and researched various third-party products that can help you accept payments or prepare your business to reopen.
Support and Help Resources
As we work through this together, we encourage you to ask questions, voice your concerns, and provide feedback to Square on the resources you need. The Square Seller Community serves as your forum for these conversations, directly with Square and other Square sellers like yourself. We’ve also created a resource hub to help bring attention to additional tools that are at your disposal. Our Support Centre will continue to provide useful information, as well as instructions regarding different Square products.
For additional information on how to prepare your business during COVID-19, please see the UK Government’s website for businesses and workplaces.