How to keep your business food safe during COVID-19 pandemic

This is a difficult time for everyone and we want to support where we can at Pinnacle HospitalityConsulting.

According to the World Health Organization the best way to combat the virus is frequent hand-washingand social-distancing.

What is social-distancing? According to Wikipedia it is:

‘Social distancing is a set of nonpharmaceutical infection control actions intended to stop or slow down the spread of a contagious disease. The objective of social distancing is to reduce

the probability of contact between persons carrying an infection, and others who are not infected, so as to minimize disease transmission’

This does not mean staying at home all day, or closing your doors (yet) nor does it mean continuing your life as normal, unfortunately.

Take these immediate actions today to keep your team members, customers and business safe:

1)       More frequent sanitization of high-risk surfaces with hospital grade cleaning solvents

·         Think surfaces like door knobs, railings and handles. Sanitize frequently

·         Use a timer and specify job role clarity so no area is missed

2)      Increased hand washing for all employees, minimizing direct contact

·         Post extra hand-washing reminders for team members

·         Encourage hand-washing and wearing of gloves where and when needed

·         Offer hand-sanitizer when hand-washing isn’t easily available and as another layer of protection

3)      Instructing employees to stay home if they have any symptoms or have traveled recently.

·         Ensure your team is taking pre-cautions and feel comfortable working under these new guidelines and fully understand how to minimize transmission

4)      Ensure all team members have their food safety requirements by local laws

·         Food safety is critical during this time and ensuring your team has the right training will put them and your customers at ease, while following standards in your café or restaurant

With the proper training of employees, and due-diligence your business can stay open and thrive.

Keep your community, customers and team members safe with proper cleanliness, food safety and sanitation.

Offer flexible ways to order for your customers:

1. Delivery Apps – Encourage those not ready to visit your establishment to use delivery apps.  This can increase business while keeping everyone safe and happy
2. Offer Mobile order and pay, On-line orders for pick up – This gives you the ability to have customers only come in for pick up and limit contact with other people.
3. Offer modified seating areas for recommended social distancing. Remove tables/chairs to allow for distance between diners in your café or restaurant.  This gives extra distance so you may lose some business, but will ensure those coming in that you are taking action to make them feel comfortable and hopefully keep coming back!

Everyone’s health and safety must be your employees and your teams first concern.  We urge everyone to stay informed (the Centers for Disease Control regularly updates their site) and to take the recommended precautions.  Also, continue to follow and check often the guidance and advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Centre for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and other Global and provincial agencies.  If you need support with ensuring your team is set up for safety and success to serve customer – please give us a call to schedule a complimentary consultation on health and safety from an industry expert with over 25 years experience in foodservice.   https://hospitalityconsulting.co/