COVID-19 In-Service Q&A

COVID-19 In-Service for Businesses Q&A

Updated 1/15/2021

Below are the questions and answers received for the COVID-19 In-Service for Food Businesses virtual event on 1/11/2020. As a reminder, guidance may change as new science and data comes out related to the virus, so please frequently check back on reliable sources such as the Minnesota Department of Health’s website. Any information that has changed since the session has been updated on this document.

Executive Order 21-01

When do the new executive orders start? - Executive Order 21-01 started at 11:59 pm on 1/10/21.

When will these COVID-19 Restrictions end? - Executive Order 21-01 does not have an end date specified. The state uses a data-based approach to determine COVID-19 restrictions. Restrictions will be lifted or altered when the data indicates it is safe to do so.

Why is an igloo considered ? Isn't an igloo outdoors? - A space is considered “indoor” if it meets the following definition: between the ground or other natural surface or a floor or similar surface and an overhead barrier, including but not limited to: a canopy, cap, awning, ceiling, roof, retractable barrier, or similar structure, whether opened or closed, and bounded by a physical barrier, including but not limited to: walls, partitions, retractable dividers, doorways, garage doors or windows, whether opened or closed, that cover more than 50% of the combined surface area of the vertical planes constituting the perimeter of the space. Since an igloo meets this definition, it is considered “indoors” and counts towards the indoor capacity requirements.

- For diagrams of what is and is not considered outdoor dining, see COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Requirements for and Bars

- Refer to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshall Division Guidance on Temporary Use of Tents & Membrane Structures for additional requirements.

Hennepin County Public Health Environmental Health 1011 1st Street S, Suite 215, Hopkins, MN 55343 www.hennepin.us/envhealth Can we still serve food after 10 pm? - Food can be served through take out and delivery after 10 pm. There can be no on-site dining (indoor or outdoor) after 10 pm.

We have acrylic panels on our booths can we use them [to separate customers], or do we have to keep 6 feet between them? - Barriers in seating areas between back-to-back booths or other seating arrangements can be used in lieu of providing 6 feet of separation between parties.

- Barriers should take into account the tallest user, and the anticipated behavior of users within the partitioned area.

- Barriers or partitions used should be of sufficient dimension and appropriate material, e.g., plexiglass or taut heavy plastic curtains stretched and secured, as necessary. Avoid using wood, fabric, or laminate as the primary materials for barriers.

- Barriers should be fixed installations where possible and must not impede emergency exit for staff or patrons or fire protection sprinkler systems.

Is live music allowed at restaurants or bars? - Live music and other live entertainment is only permitted by performers who are designated by the business. Karaoke singing and open microphone events involving performances by patrons and visitors are not permitted.

- Performers may only perform at a designated space within the venue, separated from any patrons or audience by a distance of at least 12 feet, and must maintain at least 6 feet of social distance from each other.

- Bars and restaurants that are operating under this guidance, and that are open for regular food and beverage service may not allow customers to dance.

- For additional requirements and recommendations to keep performers and patrons safe during live musical performances, refer to: Music Activities and Performances During COVID-19.

Can movie theaters open? Can Swimming pools be open? Food courts in shopping malls? Farmers Markets? Salad bars & buffest? Hotel operations (fitness, swimming pool, spa, continental )? Amusement parks? - All can be open, with restrictions. Follow the industry specific guidance on the stay safe website.

We offer an outside dining tent. What’s the requirements for the tent? - First, use the diagrams and examples of what is and is not considered outdoor dining on the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Requirements for Restaurants and Bars document to establish if your tent is considered an indoor or outdoor space, and if it’s considered a single party enclosure. Follow the requirements outlined on the document for the structure of your tent.

- Refer to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshall Division Guidance on Temporary Use of Tents & Membrane Structures for additional requirements.

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Do we still need to disinfect high touch surfaces? - Follow the requirements and recommendations outlined in COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Requirements for Restaurants and Bars and COVID-19 Universal Plan Guidance for All Businesses and Other Entities.

- The following is required and should be in your COVID-19 Preparedness Plan:

- Establish a regular schedule and checklist for cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces (workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, doorknobs, etc.), shared items, shared equipment, and high traffic areas. Continue to perform other routine environmental cleaning according to established schedules and procedures.

- Clean and disinfect reusable after each use. If using disposable paper menus, discard them after each customer use

Exercising in fitness centers...exercising at 12 feet apart? Or 9? - In any area of the facility where people are exercising or engaging in physical activity, the required social distancing is separation of at least 9 feet between all persons. At all other times and locations in the facility, the required social distancing is 6 feet between all persons.

- Follow the requirements and recommendations outlined in COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Guidance: Requirements for Gyms, Studios, ad Fitness Centers.

COVID-19 Quarantine Guidance & Vaccination

What’s the difference between isolation & quarantine again? - Quarantine = staying home and away from others because you have been exposed to COVID-19.

- Isolation = staying home and away from others because you have tested positive for COVID-19.

- Hennepin County's COVID-19 Calculator will help you decide if you need to quarantine or isolate and for how long.

Do I still need to quarantine if I already had COVID? - If you tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, you have fully recovered AND you do not currently have any symptoms of COVID-19 you do not need to quarantine. However, you do still need to wear a mask and follow physical distancing when advised/required.

- If you have not tested positive for COVID-19 or it has been longer than 90 days since you have tested positive for COVID-19, you do still need to quarantine. Hennepin County's COVID-19 Calculator will help you decide if you need to quarantine or isolate and for how long.

What are the "new" guidelines for quarantining? It was 14 days, then 10 days... wondering what has changed. - The safest option for quarantine is still 14 days. However, for certain situations, a shorter quarantine may be an option. The change is based off data that has recently come out and the need for some businesses to have workers back sooner than 14-days if done safely. For more information, or to see if you or your employees are eligible for the shorter quarantine, visit see Quarantine Guidance for COVID-19.

- Hennepin County's COVID-19 Calculator will help you decide if you need to quarantine or isolate and for how long. 3

Does anyone who received the 2 doses of the vaccine no longer get COVID-19? - After the second dose, it takes about two weeks for your body to build up protection, so it’s about 6 weeks total from the first vaccine dose to when you should be fully protected. Even after those 6 weeks, we know these vaccines are good at preventing people from getting sick, but we don’t have enough data yet to say whether someone who was vaccinated may still spread the disease to others if they get infected with COVID-19. It is important to continue to follow all public health guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 even after you have received two doses of vaccine.

- At this time, we do not know if this will be a vaccine that people need to get again, like needing a tetanus shot every 10 years or getting a flu shot every year.

What is the COVID-19 vaccine situation? When will I and my coworkers be able to get it? - We do not know yet when the next group of people will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota. This will depend on how much vaccine the manufacturers are able to make and send out, and how many people get vaccinated in the first priority groups.

- Updates will be provided when we are able to start vaccinating more people and we will provide more information at that time for how eligible people can get vaccinated.

Plan Review During the COVID-19 Pandemic

What is the difference between a consultation and Plan Review? What are the associated fees? - A consultation is a steppingstone to or a shortened version of full plan review. A consultation is a meeting or discussion with a plan reviewer to discuss the specific details of your proposed plan and determine what is going to be required.

- Some situations may only require this consultation, and others may need to go to full plan review. We always recommend applying for a consultation prior to officially submitting for plan review. It helps you prepare for what will be required and establishes contact with an inspector for assistance.

- If you apply for a consult and decide not to submit a full plan, you are only out a small amount of money compared to if you submitted a full plan and then discovered it would be too costly or too difficult to complete. If you do decide to move forward, the consult fee is then applied towards your plan fees. Fees associated with consultations and plan review will change from year to year. Be sure to check our website for current fees Food, beverage and lodging | Hennepin County.

Do I need to resubmit for plan review if I just went through plan review and got approval, but would like to make a change? (Like add a drive-through?) - If you are currently in an active plan review process, you may be able to submit your changes for review depending on what point you are at in the review process and how extensive the changes proposed are. If your changes will require a new set of review or if you have already completed plan review and would like to make a change you will have to contact your plan reviewer or inspector to determine if an additional plan review will be needed. Approval is given on specific plan details and agreements, so any changes made from the original approval must also be approved.

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Why can't I just add equipment whenever I want to, if it's my ? - Anytime you are considering adding a new piece of equipment you will want to touch base with an inspector before purchasing. Especially if the equipment is not replacing an existing piece, we will want to make sure the equipment is approved for your intended usage, that you have space for it and it will not disrupt your flow of operations and that it is set up to provide for proper connections, drainage, cleanability, etc..

Can I add a if I have a restaurant? - In order to make sure we are regulating all areas of food and beverage service; each separate type of service will need to have its own license. Even if you are using your as a commissary for all storage and prep and your vehicle is used only for serving, the vehicle will need to have its own license so that we are able to assess your operations and make sure they can be done safely. We will work with you to develop an operations plan for your mobile food unit (MFU). Contact us to discuss your options and how to move forward.

I want to package & sell uncooked . Can I do this? How? Can I use a vacuum packer? - Any changes to your should be approved by your inspector prior to making them so that we can verify they can be done safely and that all requirements are met. If you would like to offer uncooked meals to prepare at home, they will need to be properly labeled for safe at-home preparation and consumption. Here is a link to FDA’s latest requirements: Guidance for Industry: A Labeling Guide for Restaurants and Retail Establishments Selling Away-From-Home - Part I | FDA.

- Vacuum packaging will require a HACCP plan submittal and approval to do, which can be costly and time consuming if this is not something you intend to do regularly moving forward. See our website for further information on HACCP plan review Food, beverage and lodging | Hennepin County.

I want to do an outdoor food stand. Do I need a license & how do I do that? - Any food prep or service done outside of your already licensed kitchen areas will require an additional license. This does not require plan review, but you will need to apply for a special event license. After your application has been submitted an inspector will contact you to discuss your operations and how they can be done safely in a temporary/outdoor setting. Link to our website for applications: Food, beverage and lodging | Hennepin County.

What is a ? Can I get one? - Definition of ghost kitchen from Wikipedia: A ghost kitchen is a professional food preparation and facility set up for the preparation of delivery-only meals. It may also be called a delivery-only restaurant, online-only restaurant, delivery kitchen, virtual kitchen, shadow kitchen, commissary kitchen, dark kitchen, ghost line, or cloud kitchen. However, a ghost kitchen differs from a in that a ghost kitchen is not necessarily a restaurant brand in itself and may contain kitchen space and facilities for more than one restaurant brand.

- You will need to apply for either a temporary or annual food license in order to operate a ghost kitchen.

Small Business Grant Opportunity

What’s the deadline again for the grant? - The deadline for the grant mentioned during this event was 1/14/2021.

- Visit the Hennepin County Economic Development site for more information on financial assistance and future grants when they become available. 5

[Are there] funds available to obtain ServSafe certificates?

- For information on financial assistance opportunities, visit/contact Hennepin County Economic Development and Stay Safe MN COVID-19 resources for small businesses / COVID-19 Updates and Information.

Miscellaneous

What are COVID [safe] suggestions regarding self-service on salad bars- should we offer pre- packaged salads? Can we serve soup in disposable containers and hand to the customer? Can we go back to using washable trays, bowls and plates and silverware? - It is recommended that you offer prepackaged food in self-service areas. Self-service food and beverage is allowed only if the COVID-19 plan addresses customer protections such as oversight of the self-service area to ensure physical distancing, hand hygiene, and face coverings for customers.

- It is recommended that you use single-use items when possible (e.g. wrapped silverware) but you can use washable silverware, trays, bowls, etc.

CEU credit information - Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) for Certified Food Protection Managers (CFPMs) are occasionally offered for attending out live virtual sessions. To receive credit, you must provide your email and name listed on the certificate and attend the live session. Watching the recording will not allow you to receive credit. Certificates of completion will be sent out in the week after the event.

- For more information on CFPM certificates, CEUs, and/or modifications to this process due to COVID-19, visit Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager.

Contact Hennepin County Public Health Environmental Health Office: 612-532-5200 [email protected]

Website www.hennepin.us/envhealth

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