Env Svcs COVID-19 Updates

General updates

The MDH Businesses and Employers webpage has been updated with several new or updated documents:

Frequently Asked Questions about Executive Orders Related to Bars, Restaurants, and Other Places of Public Accommodation (PDF) Updated to include additional clarification for golf courses and seasonal campgrounds, updated employee screening information, and links to additional resources)
Visitor and Employee Health Screening Checklist (PDF) A tool that businesses can use to screen individuals.
Interim Recommendations for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 (PDF) Guidance for businesses who have had cases or suspected cases.
Interim Guidance for Hotel Managers and Owners (PDF) Updated to include expanded guidance for cleaning and disinfecting lodging facilities

Legionella concerns

Food, pools and lodging establishments may be closed or have low occupancy due to COVID-19. Stagnant or standing water in plumbing systems can cause conditions that increase the risk of water-borne diseases such as Legionnaires’ disease. It is important to ensure water systems are safe to use and minimize the transmission of Legionella and other bacteria.

Information for owners and operators of establishments can be found at the websites provided below.

Information regarding food service, restaurants and places of public accommodation:

All dining rooms must be closed. Will be monitored by police and Public Health Agencies. Subject to a $1000 fine and up to 90 days in jail if found in violation.
Buffets and salad bars must be closed.
No self serve condiments.
Body art establishments must be closed.
All public pools must be closed.
Hotels are allowed open, but no continental breakfasts.
Food Trucks may operate but follow social distancing guidelines and no self serve condiments.
Food Delivery Safety Fact Sheet
FAQ: ExecutiveOrder 20-04: Providing for the Temporary
Closure of Bars, Restaurants, and Other Places of
Public Accommodation
Important reminders for senior citizens
COVID-19 Employee Illness and Exclusion
Hazardous Waste Generator COVID-19 Information
Lodging establishment cleaning guidance for COVID-19

Mobile Food Units at Highway Rest Areas - MnDOT

On May 3, the Governor signed Executive Order 20-49, allowing mobile food units to operate at six designated highway rest areas. Information about this program can be found on the MnDOT and MDH websites:

Food trucks at MnDOT rest areas (MnDOT)
Interim Guidance: Mobile Food Units at Rest Areas (PDF) (MDH)

Regulatory Relief for Certifications

Recognizing that several certification providers are not holding regularly scheduled courses due to COVID-19-related restrictions, MDH received formal approval to modify renewal timelines for Certified Food Protection Managers, Trained Pool Operators, and Lifeguards. Information about these can be found on the MDH website:
Pool Operator Training (CPO, AFO, and lifeguards)
Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager

Links:

Anoka County:
2019 Novel Coronavirus Situation Summary

Minnesota Department of Health:
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA):
Customers Best Practices for Reusable Bags and Food Takeout Containers

Production of Hand Sanitizer for Donation or Sale

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:
Additional golf course guidance for food and beverage service has now been added to the DNR guidance document. See section titled: Guidelines for outdoor recreational facilities:”

EO 20-38 stipulates that outdoor recreation facilities may provide food and beverage for “off-premises consumption,” provided such offerings are consistent with Executive Order 20-04. In the context of outdoor recreation facilities, “premises” means the permanent building and any outdoor dining or patio area.
For example, a golf course may provide food or beverage to golfers for consumption on the course during their golf round, or as take-out after their round, so long as the food or beverage is not consumed in the clubhouse or an associated outdoor seating area.
Food or beverage carts that travel a golf course or other outdoor recreational facility may dispense packaged food and beverages so long as there are adequate provisions for employee handwashing/hand sanitizing.
Paragraphs 2 and 4 of Executive Order 20-04 provide additional social distancing requirements for food and beverage facilities, and those requirements apply to food and beverage facilities at outdoor recreation facilities.

Centers for Disease Control:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Guidance for Environmental Health Practitioners

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

National Environmental Health Association (NEHA):
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Resources

FDA:
Food Safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Guidance for Food Facility Operators during the COVID-19 Pandemic

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Infographic: Summary of Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Links to PDFs of Executive Orders

Executive Order 20-01 Declaring a Peacetime Emergency and Coordinating Minnesota’s Strategy to Protect Minnesotans from COVID-19 https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/execorders/20-01.pdf

Executive order 20-04: Providing for Temporary Closure of Bars, Restaurants, and Other Places of Public Accommodation https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/execorders/20-04.pdf

Executive order 20-08: Clarifying Public Accommodations Subject to Executive Order 20-04 https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/execorders/20-08.pdf

Executive order 20-18: Continuing the Closure of Bars, Restaurants, and Other Places of Public Accommodation https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/execorders/20-18.pdf

Executive order 20-20: Directing Minnesotans to Stay at Home https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/execorders/20-20.pdf

New Executive order 20-33 Extending Stay at Home Order and Temporary Closure of Bars, Restaurants, and Other Places of Public Accommodation https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/execorders/20-33.pdf

Executive Order 20-35 Extending the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency Declared in Executive Order 20-01 https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/execorders/20-35.pdf

Executive Order 20-38 Allowing for Safe Outdoor Recreation https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/execorders/20-38.pdf

MN DNR COVID-19 Outdoor Recreation Facilities and Public Guidelines https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/aboutdnr/covid-19-outdoor-recreation-guidelines.html

Executive Order 20-48 – Extending and Modifying Stay at Home Order, Continuing Temporary Closure of Bars, Restaurants, and Other Places of Public Accommodation https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/execorders/20-48.pdf

Emergency Executive Order 20-56 - Safely Reopening Minnesota’s Economy and Ensuring Safe Non-Work Activities during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency https://mn.gov/governor/assets/EO%2020-56%20Final_tcm1055-431921.pdf