Article
Swine flu and restaurants: Tips for protecting your customers and staff
The current scare underscores the need for solid communication with employees and customers.
April 28, 2009
In the coming weeks, we'll know whether the current swine flu scare is a real pandemic or (hopefully) something much smaller. Either way, we are guaranteed to become a population with a heightened sense of germ-phobia and awareness, even if only for a short period of time.
In response to the epidemic, the National Restaurant Association has posted several news items on its Web site to help restaurant operators deal with the issue. The NRA offers these tips when it comes to communicating with employees how good hygiene practices are critical to preventing the spread of influenza as well as other potential illnesses.
Remind employees that their health and safety, as well as that of the customers, is your No. 1 priority.
- Coordinate with your local health department on any actions that are being taken in your local community. Keep in close contact to be sure you are advised of any change in local status.
- Repeat the basic steps of proper hygiene:
Wash - Inform employees of the symptoms of H1N1/swine flu: Fever, headaches, cough, chills, sore throat, fatigue, body aches and possible diarrhea and vomiting.
- Suggest that if employees experience symptoms they believe are connected with the flu, they should see a health care provider who can direct appropriate action.
- Be sure to have this information accessible and easily visible to all employees.
As the situation continues to develop, the NRA says it will update these communications guidelines accordingly. Media representative Annika Stensson said the association is in frequent communication with government agencies as well as their membership to provide up-to-date information. The NRA also has established a Web site that includes additional tips and information.
No impact so far
Several fast casual executives have said operations have not been impacted thus far by the swine flu outbreak.
Linda Duke, founder and CEO of Duke Marketing, said her clients have not had any health issues related to swine flu; however, she prepared a swine flu press statement just in case.
While reports spread ofEgyptss decision to slaughter nearly 300,000 pigs as a precaution, theUnited States' Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said in a statement that theU.S.
"There is no evidence or reports thatU.S. U.S. pork and pork products are safe and there is no basis for restricting imports of commercially producedU.S.
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