Food & Beverage

NRA releases 6th COVID-19 operating guidance

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July 9, 2021

The National Restaurant Association released its sixth COVID-19 Operating Guidance edition today to incorporate the latest guidance on subjects like indoor dining, ventilation, mask use, encouraging vaccinations for employees, cleaning and sanitizing, hand-washing, health-monitoring, policies for ill or exposed employees and COVID-19 precaution training, a news release said.

The update includes changes to reflect the Occupational Safety & Health Administration's guidance for protecting workers as well.

"Most employers no longer need to take steps to protect their workers from COVID-19 exposure in any workplace, or well-defined portions of a workplace, where all employees are fully vaccinated. Employers should still take steps to protect unvaccinated or otherwise at-risk workers in their workplaces," the guide said.

OSHA's guidance around tax credits for paid time off, vaccinated and unvaccinated employee accommodations, and the need to educate employees about existing and emerging policies for safe restaurant dining in the current operating climate.

"The Association and its state partners remain committed to helping operators protect both their employees and their guests and the updated operating guidance leads the way in doing that," Larry Lynch, NRA senior vice president of Science and Industry, said in the release. "While the spread of COVID-19 is in decline, it's important to remember that outbreaks are happening in communities across the country and local officials may want to take action to control transmission. That, combined with the release of OSHA's latest guidelines, provided an opportunity for us to help restaurants understand how to operate in this new environment where vaccinated people can remove masks and reduce social distancing in most circumstances."

The edition is available through NRA's website.