New guidelines for food safety in DC amid virus

Описание: (9 Apr 2020) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus133971

Mayor of Washington DC is unveiling new food safety guidelines to help residents and workers remain safe as health officials predict the nation's capital could become one of the next U.S. hotspots in the coronavirus pandemic
The guidelines include grocery stores having signage for customers to wear masks and practice social distancing.
"We are only allowing Farmer's Markets to operate if they can do so in a way that ensures that customers are practicing proper social distancing, minimizing trips and not lingering or socializing," said Bowser.
"Starting today operators of Farmers Markets will only be able to operate when they submit operational plans."
The mayor said she would shut down businesses who didn't comply and would have National Guard and Metropolitan Police officers out observing.
"We don't intend to shutdown grocery stores," said Bowser.
"If we find gross negligence in a grocery store we will deal with that on a case by case basis, but I have to tell you what we've seen is that operators and workers are trying to keep the flow of food going all across our country and I will expect them to continue to do that."
But when pushed by reporters on the sane requirement for workers, Bowser did not give a clear answer on whether they would have the same requirements.
More than 1,500 people have tested positive, with 31 deaths, in Washington.
National and local health officials are predicting a looming spike in infections that could turn Washington into a second-wave virus hotspot.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

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