Managing Your Restaurant’s Maintenance & Sanitization During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us the importance of hygienic conditions. Many businesses are revisiting their decontamination policies and protocols, and restaurants are no exception. Many restaurants have updated their wellness and health policies to include COVID-19 precautions.
You need to realize your responsibility for creating a safe and hygienic environment for your employees and customers. Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is one of the most effective ways to show your customers and employees you care.
Regular cleaning and decontamination will help control bacteria and viruses before they are spread through cross-contamination. Some COVID-19 precautions for restaurants are:
- Staff must use PPE gloves. The use of PPE gloves can reduce cross-contamination risks
- Employees must undergo a temperature screening before clocking in at work every day
- Implement an effective hand hygiene program. Food preparers and servers must wash their hands before handling food
- Create and implement a deep cleaning and decontamination program
If creating and implementing a decontamination program seems like an uphill battle, join hands with a COVID cleanup company near you in Sonoma County. In addition to helping you implement safety measures at your restaurant, your COVID cleanup partner will provide you a list of critical information required to operate safely in the Coronavirus era.
Implementing a Deep Cleaning and Decontamination Program
Restaurant Front of House Cleaning Checklist
Daily Tasks
- Clean walls with water
- Thoroughly clean and decontaminate counters
- Launder napkins, aprons, and tablecloths
- Deep clean bathrooms, benches, booths, and seats
- Clean all menu cards
- Clean counters and tables
- Take out trash
- Clean high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, handles, computer screens, light switches, and keyboards
- Sweep and mop floors and vacuum carpets
Weekly Tasks
- Thoroughly clean light fixtures
- Wipe down and decontaminate doors and windows
Monthly Tasks
- Look for and get rid of cobwebs
- Thoroughly wash and clean walls
- Dust decorations and wall art
The Back of House (kitchen) Cleaning Checklist
Daily Tasks
- Wipe down walls immediately after splashing occurs
- Clean sinks
- Wipe down equipment such as meat slicers, juicers, coffee makers, toasters, and microwaves
- Clean utensils, small wares, flatware, and glassware. Let them dry overnight
- Launder aprons, towels, and uniforms
- Sweep and mop floors
- Decontaminate preparation area surfaces
- Thoroughly clean beverage dispenser heads and soda gun tips
- Take out the trash and clean trash cans. Decontaminate the waste disposal area
- Clean grills, griddle range, the fryer, and flattop. Remember to clean underneath the equipment
- Change the foil lining on top of grills, flattops, and ranges
Weekly Tasks
- Clean ovens
- Clean anti-fatigue mats
- Clean drains
- Deep clean walk-in refrigerators and freezers
- Deep clean sinks and faucets. Remove sticky grease and grime
- Clean deep fryers with boiling water
Monthly Tasks
- Deep clean behind the hotlines to prevent clogs
- Deep clean freezers
- Clean refrigerator coils
- Empty grease traps
- Deep clean walls and ceilings
- Clean coffee and espresso machines
Inspect Kitchen Areas, Dining Areas, and Restrooms Regularly
Use the checklist below during an inspection:
- Check whether all equipment and areas are clean
- Check whether staff are using gloves and masks when handling food
- Utensils should be stored in covered areas to reduce contamination risks
- All preparation areas should be clean
- Review refuse and garbage disposal methods. Garbage bins should be clean. The lid of the dumpster should be shut at all times. Check whether the area outside the dumpster is clean and pest-free
- Inspect the handwashing techniques and regularity of your staff
- Check whether employees are wearing hairnets where appropriate. Make sure they are wearing clean clothing
Develop a Checklist for Your Staff to Maintain Good Hygiene
Good personal hygiene should be considered a priority, not an afterthought. To maintain a hygienic environment, enforce and habituate good hygiene practices. Include these guidelines in your checklist:
- Kitchen staff must cover their hair and use hand gloves while handling food. Rubber gloves should be used while cleaning utensils and equipment
- Staff should clean their hands at regular intervals (especially before and after handling food)
- Cuts, wounds, or open sores on the hands must be covered with a waterproof bandage
- Kitchen staff should be allowed to wear plain hand rings. Necklaces, earrings, and bracelets should be avoided
Ensure Proper Ventilation
Proper ventilation is imperative for customer and employee health and food sanitation. You need to come up with a plan to minimize food odors, smoke, and fumes from the cooking process.
You can either install an HVAC system or a Demand Controlled Ventilation system that senses heat and fumes and runs only when needed. Make sure you have enough makeup air to compensate for the air being exhausted.
Stay on top of maintenance. Get your ventilation system inspected and maintained by a certified and trustworthy contractor at recommended intervals. Make sure ventilation hoods are installed over cooking appliances.
Check with your local authorities to make sure that you are using the right size and grade of the hood. To maximize the efficiency of your hood, place your appliances as close to the wall as possible. When buying a hood, make sure it is designed to filter grease.
Check with your local authorities whether your local codes require that ventilation hoods are equipped with fire suppression systems.
Consider Specialty Decontamination Services
Providing your customers and employees with peace of mind in the COVID-19 era is invaluable.
A COVID cleanup company near you in Sonoma County can set you up for success. Your COVID cleanup company will help you design, implement, and manage your decontamination program.
Before hiring a COVID cleanup company near you in Sonoma County, make sure cleanup sessions will be conducted by fully trained technicians. Ask the contractor to provide you details about their decontamination protocols and the cleaning products (should be EPA-approved) they use. Ask whether they will issue a window certificate that you can use to inspire customer confidence.
West Coast Fire & Water offers coronavirus decontamination services in Sonoma County. We are committed to helping businesses reopen and operate safely throughout Northern California. To enquire about our services, call 707-504-3708.