Restaurants can reduce COVID-19 risks with simple steps.
As the COVID-19 crisis continues, food safety and customer safety are more important than ever. Use this checklist to make sure you are doing your part:
SAFETY FOR TAKEOUT/PICKUP & DELIVERY
Educate Staff:
- Have signage to explain your safety procedures
- Stress to employees the importance of staying home if sick
- Wear disposable gloves to protect employees and customers
Secure the Entry and Communicate Flow:
- Remove candy, mint and toothpick dispensers near cashier station
- Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers for public use
- Limit number of people inside store
- Communicate the flow of pickup and ordering to your customers by signs or staff members directing traffic
- Try using visual markers, signs, tape on the floor, etc. to communicate safe social distancing
Focus on Cleaning:
- Increase frequency of sanitizing for counters near the cash register
- Sanitize door handles, touchpads and pickup shelves more frequently
- Use only disposable wipes and discard after use
Utilize disposables:
- Remove napkin, straw and condiment dispensers from public areas
- Consider wrapped cutlery packets (with salt/pepper/napkins) and wrapped straws
- If using a laminated menu, wipe it after each customer use
Offer Convenience:
- Offer curbside pickup for call-ahead orders
- Seal bags/boxes that leave for delivery
- Clean insulated delivery bags before each use
Monitor the Bathroom:
- Discuss limiting restrooms to staff use only if necessary
- Keep stocked with toilet paper, paper hand towels, soap and hand sanitizer
- Create a schedule for cleaning and replenishing restroom supplies
- Put a waste can near the door for disposal of paper towels after opening the door
- Install a foot plate or toe pull for hands-free door opening