UPDATES FOR FOOD SERVICE FACILITIES ABOUT THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) 5/22/2020:

Food Control Office – Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance and Resources (Updated 5/22/2020)

Face Covering Order for all business employees and clients takes effect April 18, 2020.

Executive Order 20-04-05-02 requires all businesses that are operating to do so safely, in compliance with CDC and MDH recommendations.  This includes Foodservice Establishments with ‘Back of the House’ staff not in direct contact with the public to also wear face coverings in an effort to reduce spread of infection amongst other staff.

TEMPORARY FOOD PERMITS - Due to the Executive Order 20-03-30-01 issued by the Governor of the State of Maryland, the processing of Temporary Food Permits is suspended for events that take place through June 1, 2020 (or until the State of Emergency and the Proclamation of the Catastrophic Health Emergency has been rescinded).  Other events further out, will be processed on a limited basis, however applicants must allow for an extended processing time.

General Guidance for Consumers and Businesses:

·       Coronavirus Fact Sheet (CDC)

·       Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19 (CDC)

·       Information for Consumers — Shopping for Food (FDA)

·       COVID-19 Food Safety FAQs (MDH)

·       Guidance for Essential Errands (CDC)

·       Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting / Flowchart(CDC)

·       EPA’s List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

·       Maryland Farmers Markets Operations During COVID-19 State of Emergency FAQs (MDA)

Guidance for Retail Food Service Industry:

Preparing to Re-Open After Closure or Partial Closure:

       ·       Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments During the COVID-19 Pandemic (FDA)

        ·       Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Food Safety Checklist(FDA)

        ·       COVID-19 Reopening Guidance (NRA)

        ·       Planning for Reopening Food Service Establishments As COVID-19 Impacts Best Practices and Protocol (AFDO)

       ·     Restaurant and Bar Re-Opening Decision Tree (CDC)

Employee COVID-19 Exposure or Confirmed Positive Test:

        ·       What to Do If You Have COVID-19 Confirmed Positive or Exposed Workers in Your Food Production, Storage, or Distribution Operations (FDA)

         ·       Updated Interim Guidance For Employers and Businesses on Management of Critical Infrastructure Workers with Possible Exposure to COVID-19 (MDH)

         ·       Interim Guidance for Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19(CDC)

         ·       Food Industry Recommended Protocols When Employee/Visitor/Customer Tests Positive for COVID-19 (IFBA)

         ·       Screening Food Industry Employees for COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposure (IFBA)

Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidance:

         ·       Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting / Flowchart(CDC)

          ·       COVID-19 Touch Point Disinfection Recommendations for Retail Foodservice Customer Areas(FCHD)

Best Practices and Guidance:

         ·       Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic / Summary Infographic (FDA)

          ·       COVID-19 Foodservice Recommendations – Customer Pick-up and Delivery (FCHD)   

          ·       Use of Respirators, Facemasks, and Cloth Face Coverings in the Food and Agriculture Sector During Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic (FDA)

          ·       Information for Retail Foodservice Facilities (FCHD)

          ·       Food Establishments: Making Safe Food Donations During COVID-19 Pandemic (MDH)

          ·       COVID-19 Grocery Store Posters:  Staff Safety / Shopper Safety

Best Practices and Guidance for Flushing of Water After a Shutdown

• The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Maintaining or     Restoring Water Quality in Buildings with Low or No Use
  
• The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidance for Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Shutdown or Reduced Operations
   
• Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) COVID-19 Resources for Building Water Systems
   
• The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Water Supply Program COVID-19 Public Water System Compliance Challenges and Helpful Links

Other Agency Sites and Resources:

               Maryland Department of Health – Food Safety and COVID-19

               Food & Drug Administration – Food Safety and COVID-19

               CDC – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Page

               University of MD Extension Service– Food Safety and COVID-19

               Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University – COVID-19 Food Industry Resources

               Food Industry Association –COVID-19 Resources