New legal requirements for food businesses
New legal requirements for food businesses
Whilst we’re sure you’re doing everything you can to keep you and your team safe, it’s very important to keep-up-to-date with the latest Government guidance so you know just what to do in this fast-moving situation.
The Government announced the requirement that all food businesses must stop all dine-in business, with only takeaway or collection sales allowed. Businesses that remain open must enforce social distancing for both customers and staff.
The Government also have announced new guidelines which includes information on;
- Food hygiene
- Food packaging
- Cleaning and waste disposal
- More detailed information for takeaways and restaurants offering food collection
- Social distancing requirements
- Managing employee sickness
Here are some things to consider in managing your business during the COVID-19 period:
- Reducing the number of items on your menus to make service easier to manage
- Only having essential staff on the premises where possible
- For orders taken directly from customers you should:
- Encourage customers to ring in their order or to order from the doorway
- Use a ticketing system where appropriate
- Where possible, encourage customers to use contactless payment rather than cash. If staff must handle money, it is important they wash their hands afterwards and always before handling food
Local Councils have been appointed to make sure that Restaurants are implementing official Government instructions and legal requirements. To help ensure that you’re following the new guidelines we have summarised the key points:
Social Distancing
Where employees attend work, social distancing must be implemented to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This involves maintaining a distance of at least two metres (6.5 feet) between people. Failure to comply with social distancing could result in the council shutting you down with immediate effect and/or potentially unlimited fines.
Restaurant set up
- In addition to the existing Food Hygiene Guidance you should continue to encourage staff to regularly wash hands and frequently clean and disinfect all touch points
- Remove any in-store or outside seating where possible. Display clear signage in your business saying seating is not for use.
- Remove any reusable utensils and keep napkins, cutlery and sauces behind the counter
- Set up a collection area that enables customers to keep the government-recommended distance from both your team and each other when collecting an order. Consider allowing only one person in at a time for collection, you will need to adapt this based on the size of your premises.
- Regularly clean with disinfectant all touch points e.g. takeaway counter, keypads, door handles etc. Hand sanitisers should be provided by restaurants where possible
- Keep doors open where possible to minimise contact with surfaces
- Put clear signage near your door explaining your precautions and ask that everyone keeps at least two metres apart (in-store and queuing).
- Continue to properly seal all packaging before handing over the meal/bag
By following these guidelines you’ll give your business the best chance of success as we all work together to get through this challenge.
