Executive Order No. 147 requires face coverings to be worn by employees and customers, and environmental health specialists must also wear a face covering upon entering a facility for an inspection or visit. If an EHS enters an establishment where face coverings are not being worn by restaurant employees, they should take the following actions:
1. Remind the person in charge of the Executive Order requirement to wear face coverings, and be aware of the list of exceptions for people who are exempt from wearing face coverings.
2. If the EHS cannot conduct the inspection with sufficient physical distance from employees who are not wearing face coverings and the EHS feels unsafe, they may choose to terminate the inspection at that time. The EHS can document the following as a visit on a comment addendum form: “Unable to complete required inspection due to food service employees not wearing face coverings as required by EO 147.” Request signature on the comment addendum and leave a copy with the person in charge.
3. Attempt to complete the inspection at another time. If food service workers are still not wearing face coverings and are not exempt from wearing, complete another visit sheet as stated above in #2. This guidance may change due to Executive Order directive in the future.
As a reminder, the reduction in frequency of inspections due to Covid-19 restrictions ends June 30th for FY19-20. Normal frequencies shall resume on July 1st for FY20-21. Thank you for all you do to keep our state safe!
Regards,
Shane Smith, REHS
Branch Head
Division of Public Health, Food Protection and Facilities Branch
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
919 707 5872 office
919 210 3663 cell
919 845 3972 fax
shane.smith
5605 Six Forks Road
1632 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1632