Food Safety Programs and the Prevention the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The CDC has published resources to the public about what is known today about preventing the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019.

The resource can be found here with a link to the Center for Disease Control‘s (CDC) website. This information includes what to do if you think you have contracted the Coronavirus.

Food Safety Programs should be updated with a protocol for how to handle employees testing positive for COVID-19 or exhibiting symptoms.

The CDC advises that if you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, to do the following:

• Stay home except to get medical care
• Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
• Call ahead before visiting your doctor
• Wear a facemask
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Avoid sharing personal household items
• Clean your hands often
• Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day
• Monitor your symptoms

People with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation until the risk of secondary transmission to others is thought to be low. The decision to discontinue home isolation precautions should be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with healthcare providers and state and local health departments.