PAR, a subsidiary of Par Tech Technology Corporation, has advised restaurant operators to keep POS terminals clean to protect customers and employees from the coronavirus outbreak, according to an email.

To safely clean POS hardware, operators must first turn off the terminal before cleaning. They can clean using a towel dampened with carbonated water. They should not use an ammonia based cleaning product. They can also use a disinfectant wipe or alcohol wipe.

The unit should be wiped down with the damp towel or disinfectant wipe; carbonated water should not be poured directly onto the terminal.

If employees are using a PCAP terminal, they can wear thin foodservice gloves. When cleaning, they should not soak the headset or bend the microphone boom as it could damage the electronics.