Coronavirus: Town Of Wayland Issues Update To All Food Establishments

Press release from the Town of Wayland:

March 20, 2020

On March 15, 2020, Governor Baker issued an emergency order limiting gatherings to 25 individuals and prohibiting onpremises consumption of food or drink at bars and restaurants, beginning on March 17 and effective until April 6 unless further extended. Please take notice that the town of Wayland has also declared a public health emergency and is following federal guidelines and limiting gatherings to 10 individuals. Note: This number includes staff and customers who may be in the building at the same time. If your total number exceeds 10 at any time, individuals must be restricted from entering and should wait outside socially distancing from each other. This guideline may change at any time based on Federal and/or state protocols.

Earlier this week, we reached out to all food establishments via email initially, and then by telephone call regarding COVID-19 and food safety measures.

On March 19th the Health Department became aware of two food establishments in Wayland where food handlers had contact with someone who has tested presumptive positive for COVID-19. These food establishments were; Liberty’s Pizza and Starbucks. Both businesses are closed at this time until further notice.

Please take notice that we were made aware that food handlers at Liberty’s sometimes work at other food establishments. These individuals were told to go home and self-quarantine for 14 days as per CDC guidelines. We are in the process of contact case investigation. It is extremely important to follow food handling safety measures at this time of spreading illness of COVID-19.

Establishments may continue to offer food for take-out and delivery provided that they follow the social distancing protocols set forth in Department of Public Health guidance.

1. Wayland BOH strongly recommends that, apart from gloves, because COVID-19 virus is spread, via oral/ respiratory secretions, even in the “sniffles” stage which precedes the achiness, cough and fever stage, food “prep” staff, in residential or fast food / takeout settings, wear “over the ear” surgical type masks when food prepping, especially when preparing readyto-eat food.

2. In food prep scenarios Supervisors should regularly evaluate their staff for any signs of cold/infectious symptoms.

3. If symptoms or signs of a cold are present these employees should be removed from food prep duties, and the Wayland BOH should be informed.

4. Also, whenever food prep staff leave the immediate food prep areas to non- food prep areas, such as counter, cash register duties, bathroom, etc., additional hand washing needs to occur immediately prior to food prepping.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

Beginning March 17 until April 6 unless further extended and/or further restricted:

• Modify operations for take-out and delivery of food product only
• Seated dine-in options are prohibited during this period
• Review and reduce prepared food product to prevent food spoilage
• Reduce the risk of cross-contamination: self-service stations such as buffets, salad bars, and hot bars must be suspended until further notice. Package products à la carte, to-go for patrons
• Follow social distancing protocols
• Keep patrons at least 6 feet away from others when in lines
• Minimize contact with patrons when doing take-out or delivery
• Inform the Health Department of any changes in operation such as a closure

We would like to re-emphasize existing sanitation and illness policies which include frequent and proper handwashing and proper glove-usage.

All Person(s)-in-Charge (PIC) must ensure that all employees are in good health. Please review with all staff that they must report any illnesses. Ill employees MUST NOT report to work. Anyone at work with symptoms of illness should be sent home.

Symptoms of illness include: sore throat, fever, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea.

BEST PRACTICES REQUIRED:

• Good hygiene, clean clothing and hair restraints.
• Clean, fully-stocked handwashing sinks.
• Proper handwashing for 20 seconds, using paper towel to turn off faucets to avoid recontaminations of clean hands.
• Restricting use of cell phones and eating and drinking by staff to specified areas, and immediate handwashing after using phones or eating and drinking.
• If you sneeze or cough, follow proper protocols of coughing/sneezing into one’s elbow and not touching face or hands, use proper handwashing afterwards.
• Conduct frequent, routine cleaning and disinfecting of contact surfaces (i.e. door handles, door knobs, tables, customer service areas, etc.).
• Have hand sanitizer available.
• Disinfect all electronic payment pads and other electronic touch screen devices (cell phones, tablets, etc).

The Wayland Health Department will be conducting spot check inspections to ensure everyone is in compliance.

For more information, visit the following websites:

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health: www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC: www.cdc.gov/COVID19

This press release was produced by the Town of Wayland. The views expressed here are the author's own.