Restaurant and Retail Food Assistance Hotline 512-248-7600
Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm

6/26/20  Update  View the Governor’s Executive Order

• All bars and similar establishments that receive more than 51% of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages are required to close at 12:00 PM today. These businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

• Restaurants may remain open for dine-in service, but at a capacity not to exceed 50% of total listed indoor occupancy, beginning Monday, June 29, 2020.

Gov. Abbott Open Texas Checklists 

RESTAURANTS MINIMUM HEALTH STANDARDS CHECKLIST

The DSHS Consumer Protection Division has compiled the following guidance for business and industry in response to COVID-19:

• Retail Foods:
• Guidance Regarding Sale of Restaurant-Prepared Food Products in Grocery Stores (PDF)
• Guidance for Retail Food Establishments (PDF)
• Food Retail Sales and Donations Guidance (PDF)
• Guidance for Farmers' Markets (PDF)

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
• Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• COVID-19–Related Guidance Documents for Industry, FDA Staff, and Other Stakeholders
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions – Food Products
• FDA Briefing for Foods Stakeholders on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Recording Held March 18, 2020
• Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• CDC
• Considerations for Restaurants and Bars
• What Grocery and Food Retail Workers Need to Know about COVID-19

Public and semi-public swimming pools may open at 50% capacity. Learn more about the WCCHD Public Swimming Pool Program

Temporary Events may resume upon approval of a social distancing plan based on the location (i.e. parks checklist -see attached - for outdoor events and wedding venue checklist – see attached - for indoor events.) Funerals, Memorials, Burials, Weddings, Church Services, Outdoor Activity, Parks:  Limited seating, 25% max capacity, social distancing, face mask unless able to maintain 6 foot separation at all times. 

Additional Resources

• Minimum standard health protocols for businesses and individuals 
• Food Business Guidance

• Reopening Business FAQs - Swiss Cheese Model

• Reopening Guidelines - National Safety Council

• Social Distancing, Disinfecting & Other Precautions (FDA)

• Workers Testing Positive (FDA)

• Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic (FDA)

• Managing Employee Health (Including Contracted Workers)
• Personal Hygiene for Employees
• Managing Operations in a Foodservice Establishment or Retail Food Store
• Managing Food Pick-Up and Delivery

• Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 (CDC)

• Disinfectants for use against COVID-19 (EPA)

• CDC: Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19

ECOLAB Reopening Resources:

• Operational Readiness Checklist for GMs
• Resuming Operations PPT
• Foodservice Reopening Checklist

• Recommended Protocols When Employee/Customer Tests Positive for COVID-19
• Proper Usage of Face Masks
• Emergency Prevention Measures to Achieve Physical (Social) Distancing in Food Manufacturing Facilities as Related to COVID-19
• Screening Food Industry Employees for COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposure

• Can the coronavirus be spread through food, including refrigerated or frozen food?
• What food safety measures are restaurants taking?
• What antimicrobial products can I use against the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2?
• What other steps should we take to avoid infection?

• How can I find out what my state, county or city is requiring of restaurants operating in this period? (Updated daily)
• Is there is any federal or state government guidance or emergency rule regarding paid sick leave, safe-time or emergency leave laws as they relate to COVID-19? (Updated daily)
• Where can I find information about disaster assistance loans for impacted businesses?
• Where can I find information about the new Coronavirus-related paid leave for workers and tax credits for small and midsize businesses?
• Are restaurant employees considered essential? Can they work even when there are shelter-in-place orders?
• What is the impact to the supply chain?

• Restaurant Employee Relief Fund
• CARES Act Update