As things continue to slowly open and go back to normal, the CDC has released updated guidelines for self-serve food stations. This past year, we saw a pause on the various self-serve food services that are offered by many foodservice outlets. But as we move forward and the COVID-19 numbers continue to decrease, things are slowly going back to normal and with a few adjustments to your operations, foodservice operators will be able to keep everyone safe.
Below are the CDC recommendations regarding the operation of any self-serve stations in your foodservice establishment:
• Require diners to wear a mask over the nose and mouth when serving themselves food.
• Provide unpackaged food items behind a barrier such as sneeze shields and limit diners’ bare-hand contact with utensils and/or dispensers by providing deli/wax papers, disposable gloves, and/or disposable serving utensils that are thrown out after each diner uses them.
• Encourage diners and food workers to remain at least 6 feet apart in areas that can easily become crowded (e.g., standing in line, dirty dish return) and while eating, by providing physical guidance and visual cues, such as tape or graphics on floors or sidewalks and signs on walls.
• Don’t allow diners to grab items from reach-in refrigeration units or cabinets. Instead, serve individual cartons, bottles, and/or condiment packets with meals that diners can pick up without opening a door. A hands free condiment dispenser can aid with this issue.
• Do not reuse or allow diners to share items (e.g., paper menus) that are difficult to clean, sanitize, or disinfect.
• If shared objects (e.g., utensils, tongs) are used, replace at an increased frequency (e.g., every 15 minutes). Ensure shared objects are easy to clean.
• Provide no-touch or foot-pedal trash receptacles.
• Consider assigning staff to monitor service stations to observe diners’ behaviors and apply corrective actions to prevent potential contamination and encourage social distancing and safe hand hygiene.
State and local public health departments will determine whether it is safe to open self-service food and drink options in your area. For the full list of guidelines, please visit the CDC website.
