Public Health – Seattle & King County has announced new recommendations to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in addition to earlier guidance. Retail service may continue throughout King County; and it is recommended that the following public health guidance is observed in these settings.

Specific to restaurants and grocery stores:

Food has not been identified as a likely source of COVID-19 at this time; however, food businesses can play an important role in both protecting their employees and their customers from COVID-19 by following the routine food establishment personal and environmental hygiene practices identified below:

• Strengthen health screening of staff and onsite contractors for COVID-19 symptoms.

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for 20 seconds upon first arriving to work, after using the restroom, before and after eating and frequently throughout the day. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Provide alcohol based (60%) hand sanitizers or similar cleaners for use for both employees and customers by placing them at convenient/accessible locations.

• Use sanitizing solution (i.e., one teaspoon of unscented household bleach in a gallon of cool water, there is no need to change the ratio of bleach to water to kill the coronavirus. If in doubt, please follow the instructions on the bottle) to frequently sanitize commonly touched surfaces and objects such as cash machine key pads, counter tops, dining tables door knobs, electronics, faucet handles, and menus frequently throughout the day. Change the chlorine-based sanitizing solution at least once every four hours.

• Ensure dishwasher and/or three-compartment sinks are used properly and have the appropriate level of sanitizer for final rinse (50-100 PPM chlorine-based sanitizer, follow product label for other approved sanitizers).

• Ensure sneeze guards are in place where required.

If you have food employees at higher risk for COVID-19 with underlying health conditions, such as people 60 or older, people with underlying health conditions (heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes) or those with weakened immune systems or those who are pregnant: consider temporarily re-assigning them to non-public-contact duties.

For more information, visit the retail guidance section of Seattle King County Public Health.