CLEVELAND -- As businesses brace for the great unknowns that will come with the spread of H1N1, retailers, shopping centers and restaurants are emphasizing the importance of hygiene.

"We've just become more vigilant about cleanliness, reminding employees to wash their hands more often, and use hand sanitizer," said Lawrence Shibley, president of Yours Truly Restaurants.

Each of the company's eight restaurants has eight to 10 dispensers available for employees and customers.

"We've also gotten a little more careful about packaging of food products. We wash every item of produce that's used. Even if it's being cooked, it's still washed," he added.

The H1N1, spread primarily when an infected person sneezes or coughs, can survive on surfaces for up to two hours on cafeteria tables, desks and doorknobs. Infected people can continue spreading the virus for seven days after they get sick.

Fighting the spread of H1N1 is, to use a football analogy, "all about the fundamentals of blocking and tackling," said Jeff Heinen, co-president of Heinen's Fine Foods.

"What that means for us is reaffirming our standard sanitation practices of hand washing, cough/sneeze control and work-station sanitation. It also means carefully monitoring our associates' health and making sure they do not report to work if they feel ill, and are sent home if they have any flulike symptoms.

"We believe the simple steps of frequent hand washing and proper coughing and sneezing etiquette will go a long way toward minimizing the risks," he said. "In addition, since we are better staffed than most, our managers and associates will not hesitate to make the appropriate decisions if someone should not be working."

Aldi Inc. has a plan that will kick in if the World Health Organization advises additional precautions.

"As they raise the level of response, so will we," said Thom Behtz, vice president of Aldi's Northern Ohio division in Hinckley. "As things get worse, there'll be more frequent cleaning."

At Giant Eagle Inc., "we continually stress the importance of proper team-member hygiene, as well as effective equipment, utensil and food-service sanitation," said spokesman Dan Donovan.

"Ongoing training helps ensure that all team members are aware of the importance of their personal health and the appropriate ways in which they operate equipment and maintain store cleanliness."

Ashtabula Towne Square has installed antibacterial stations throughout the mall and is trying to obtain doses of the H1N1 vaccine for a flu clinic.

Mall employees also have been told that if they're not feeling well or look noticeably ill, "it's mandatory that you go home," said Michelle Lefkowitz, director of marketing. "We don't want anybody who's sick working here."

Westfield SouthPark mall in Strongsville carries alcohol wipes for parents who want to wipe down their strollers and disinfects the children's play area near Sears twice a day.

The mall also has information on H1N1 from the Cleveland Clinic at its concierge desk near J.C. Penney, said marketing director Andy Selesnik.

Beachwood Place mall is following the Ohio Department of Health's recommendations and plans to install more hand sanitizing stations throughout the mall, in addition to those in the mall restrooms and at the customer service desk, said Heidi Yanok, senior marketing manager.

At Cincinnati-based Macy's Inc., the nation's largest department store chain, "We communicate with our associates about the importance of hand washing and not coming in to work if they feel ill," said spokesman Jim Sluzewski.

"We closely monitor the flu season and act accordingly."