Coronavirus Resource Page
Since Friday, March 20, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food and Cosmetic Information Center (FCIC)/Technical Assistance Network (TAN) has been releasing responses for questions of interest to AFDO members concerning COVID-19.
Real time updates of the FDA’s Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) page can be found at https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/food-safety-and-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19. Updates are dated so you are able to tell what information has been added each time.
As part of AFDO’s commitment to providing information and resources to members, we will offer links to information that has been developed by our partners and other subject matter experts. If you identify resources that should be considered or your organization develops some of your own that can be shared with other members, please email them or the link to bbenschoter@afdo.org. We appreciate everyone who helps us all be more informed and prepared.
If you have guidance to share, please forward to bbenschoter@afdo.org.
Reopening Guidance Information
National resources
Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) resources
- CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President’s Plan for Opening America Up Again – updated May 2020
- Interim guidance for restaurants and bars
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) resources
- Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Food Safety Checklist – updated May 2020
- Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments During the COVID-19 Pandemic – updated May 2020
- Use of Respirators, Facemasks, and Cloth Face Coverings in the Food and Agriculture Sector During Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic – updated April 24, 2020
- What to Do if You Have COVID-19 Confirmed Positive or Exposed Workers in Your Food Production, Storage, or Distribution Operations Regulated by FDA – updated April 24, 2020
Other resources
Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO)
- AFDO Best Practices for Conducting Inspections During the COVID-19 Pandemic – updated May 21, 2020
- AFDO Recommendations for Easing COVID-19 Restrictions for the Retail Food Industry – updated continuously
- Best Practices for Conducting Produce Farm Inspections During the COVID-19 Pandemic – updated continuously
- AFDO Restaurant Reopening Fact Sheet COVID-19 Back to Work Guidance – updated May 2, 2020
- Recommendations for Modifications of Self-Service Displays in the Retail Food Industry Due to COVID-19 – updated September 21, 2020
- Covid-19 Employee Symptoms/Testing Status-Based Decision Tool For Food Facilities – PDF – updated May 5, 2020
- Covid-19 Employee Symptoms/Testing Status-Based Decision Tool For Food Facilities – MS Word – updated May 2020
FEMA
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Addressing PPE Needs in Non-Healthcare Setting – updated April 21, 2020
Body Art Education Alliance
ASTHO
- COVID-19 Intervention Actions: Restaurant Restrictions – updated March 19, 2020
National Restaurant Association
State and local resources
Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals
- Iowa Restaurant Reopening Criteria/Operation Restrictions during COVID-19 – updated April 27, 2020
Virtual Inspections Guidance
AFDO RESOURCES
KANSAS RESOURCES
SOUTH CAROLINA RESOURCES
- DHEC Develops Innovative Procedures for Virtual Food Safety Checks
- DHEC COVID-19 Virtual Food Safety Check – Video
- Instructions for conducting Virtual Retail Food Establishment Food Safety Checks during the COVID-19 emergency period
- Retail Food COVID-19 Food Safety Check
- Talking points for setting up a Food Safety Check
- Tech Tips for conducting a VI permit inspection
- Template Email for Virtual Permit Inspections
- Virtual Inspection Example – Download video file
- Working Together to Ensure Food Safety During the COVID-19 Emergency – Email template
COVID-19 resources
CENTERS FOR DISEASE AND CONTROL PREVENTION (CDC) RESOURCES
- CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers – continuously updated
U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) RESOURCES
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – continuously updated
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Supply Chain Update – updated February 27, 2020
- Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – updated April 24, 2020
- Policy for Temporary Compounding of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the Public Health Emergency – updated March 14, 2020
- Safely Using Hand Sanitizer – updated March 30, 2020
- The FDA Continues to Release Answers to Questions That HaveBeen Pending – updated March 25, 2020
- Use of Respirators, Facemasks, and Cloth Face Coverings in the Food and Agriculture Sector During Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic – updated April 24, 2020
- What to Do if You Have COVID-19 Confirmed Positive or Exposed Workers in Your Food Production, Storage, or Distribution Operations Regulated by FDA – updated April 24, 2020
State resources
Alabama Department of Public Health
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – updated March, 27, 2020
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Arkansas Department of Health
- COVID-19 – updated March 27, 2020
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Retail Food Establishments – updated March 18, 2020
California Department of Public Health
- Guidance Documents: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – updated March 26, 2020
Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment
Connecticut Department of Health
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – updated March 30, 2020
Florida Department of Health
- What You Need to Know Now About COVID-19 in Florida – updated March 31, 2020
Georgia Department of Agriculture
Column 1
Column 2
Indiana State Department of Health
Iowa Dept. of Inspections and Appeals
Kansas Department of Agriculture
- COVID-19 Resource Center – updated March 31, 2020
Louisiana Department of Health
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
- Executive Order for Restaurants and Bars Questions and Answers – updated March 23, 2020
- Virus Control In Eating Establishments – updated March 23, 2020
- Virus Control In the Hotel Industry – updated March 23, 2020
Maryland Department of Health
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Minnesota Department of Health
Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food
New Jersey Department of Health
New Mexico Environment Department
New York Department of Agriculture and Markets
New York State Department of Health
North Carolina State University Extension
North Dakota Department of Agriculture
- Food Establishment Coronavirus Recommendations_as of 3.18.2020 – updated March 18, 2020
- Lodging Establishment Coronavirus Recommendations_ as of 03.18.2020 – updated March 18, 2020
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Oregon – Multnomah County
- COVID-19 Guidance for Restaurants and Food Service – updated February 12, 2021
Column 1
Column 2
Rhode Island Department of Health
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – updated March 13, 2020
- COVID-19 Guidance for Food Pantries and Homeless Shelters – updated March 17, 2020
- Protect your Workforce from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – updated March 18, 2020
- Update to Guidance for Grocery Stores and Markets for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – updated March 22, 2020
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Food Handlers – updated March 16, 2020
Texas State Health and Human Services
- Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019
- Guidance During the COVID-19 Disaster – updated March 24, 2020
Utah Department of Health
Vermont Department of Health
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Virginia Department of Health
Washington – King County
Washington Department of Agriculture
Washington Department of Health
- Food Recalls and Safety Alerts in Washington – updated March 20, 2020
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
Wyoming Department of Health
- COVID-19 Information updated continuously
- Statewide Public Order #3 – updated March 24, 2020
- Statewide Public Health Order #2 – updated March 20, 2020
- Statewide Public Health Order #1 – updated March 19, 2020
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Other Resources
Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO)
- AFDO Recommendations For COVID-19 Response for State Agencies – updated April 4, 2020
World Health Organization
- Coronavirus Condition Overview – continuously updated
- Q&A on Coronaviruses (COVID-19) – updated October 12, 2020
Ad Council
- Coronavirus Response – continuously updated
The Food Industry
Association (FMI)
- Coronavirus Resources and Preparedness Checklist – continuously updated
- COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfection for Human-Touch Surfaces – updated April 14, 2020
FEMA
- Coronavirus Rumor Control – continuously updated
ASTHO
(Association of State and Territorial Health Officials)
- COVID-19 Intervention Actions: Restaurant Restrictions – updated March 19, 2020
- COVID-19: Resources – updated March 10, 2020
American Medical Association
- COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus) Resource Center for Physicians – continuously updated
National Restaurant Association
- COVID-19 Re-opening Guidance
- Tips for Restaurants – updated April 13, 2020
Department of Labor
and Health and Human Services’
Consumer Brand Association
- Emergency Prevention Measures to Achieve Physical (Social) Distancing in Food Manufacturing Facilities as Related to COVID-19 – updated March 31, 2020
- What CPG Needs to Know About Coronavirus – continuously updated
Food & Beverage Issue Alliance
- Food Industry Recommended Protocols When Employee/Visitor/Customer Tests Positive for COVID-19 – updated April 1, 2020
AOAC International
- Food and Public Health Testing Laboratories Addressing COVID-19 – updated March 16, 2020
Johns Hopkins University
- Global Cases by Johns Hopkins CSSE – continuously updated
Office of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce – updated March 19, 2020
Multiple Resources
- Guidance for Iowa Farmers Markets During COVID-19 – updated April 24, 2020
Partnership for Food
Safety Education
- Health Educator Resources – continuously updated
Center for Biocide Chemistries
- Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Fighting Products – updated March 18, 2020
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
- Production of Hand Sanitizer to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic – updated December 18, 2020
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
- Workforce Survey – COVID-19 – updated March 30, 2020