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

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

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