|
As Oregon moves into the various phases of reopening the economy during the COVID-19 crisis, state agencies including the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) are working together to provide easy to use guidance. Together we are creating documents to assist our food establishments in developing strategies to safely operate when reopening.
For retail food establishments such as grocery stores, convenience stores, and establishments conducting food service activities, we want to highlight three documents developed by OHA. These documents provide directions on requirements, guidance, and best practices that are applicable to retail food establishments. Please become familiar with these documents.
The use of masks and face coverings is another tactic to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown outlined a phased approach to reopening Oregon’s communities and economy earlier this month. The ODA Food Safety Program would like to emphasize the following points regarding the Phase 1 reopening at retail food establishments:
1) Employees at all retail food stores statewide (regardless of phase) must wear face masks or other suitable face covering.
2) Retail stores may continue to permit self-service activities such as using fountain soda beverage filling or obtaining foods from bulk bins, however this practice is still discouraged.
3) Gloves must be worn when handling ready-to-eat foods.
Again, we encourage retail food establishment operators to become familiar with the requirements and guidance referred to in this bulletin.
For more information contact the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture, Food Safety Program: (503) 986-4720, 635 Capitol St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97301-2532. https://oda.direct/FoodSafetyInformation
|
