Coronavirus - information for food businesses

Following the introduction of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Business Closure) (England) Regulations 2020, all food businesses must stop selling food and drink for consumption on the premises.

The Government has advised takeaways and food delivery services should remain open, along with food retailers.

Retail and public premises which remain open must:

• ensure to maintain a two metre distance between customers and shop assistants
• only allow customers to enter shops in small groups (for takeaways, no more than one or two customers, ensuring two metre social distancing can be maintained)
• control queuing outside the premises, ensuring customers maintain two metre social distancing

Businesses must also implement the following measures:

• customers cannot sit and consume food or drink on the premises
• delievery service vehicles must be kept clean and hygienic
• food must be insulated to maintain correct temperatures in suitable containers (eg polystyrene hot boxes), which must be kept clean
• hot food must be delivered within two hours and kept above 63°C
• cold food must be delivered within four hours and kept below 8°C
• food safety management procedures and monitoring documentation must be updated to reflect changes to your business processes
• food safety management procedures should include how customers receive allergen information

Hygiene conditions in all food business must be maintained to the highest level.

Businesses should ensure:

• staff maintain two metre distance from others and wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water regularly
• delivery drivers have no direct contact with customers and maintain two metre distance
• customers pay in advance or use contactless cards to avoid handling cash

IMPORTANT - if a member of staff has symptoms of the coronavirus, Government guidelines on self-isolation must be followed.

For advice on operating your food business during the coronavirus pandemic, email the council's commercial regulation team: fs@rugby.gov.uk

View Government information on the types of food businesses permitted to operate

View Government guidance for food businesses during the coronavirus pandemic

View Government advice for employers and businesses during the coronavirus pandemic

PLEASE NOTE - the council intends to enforce all of the regulations and investigate complaints in line with our enforcement policy. We may monitor businesses to ensure compliance with the regulations.