After months of lockdown, many states and provinces across the US and Canada have begun rolling out their reopening plans to start getting people back to work in the new normal. However, many new procedures and requirements will be put in place to keep people safe, healthy, and prevent another outbreak.
Many restaurants will begin reopening in the coming months, and each state will likely have their own guidelines around ensuring your staff and diners are safe. In the following post, we’ll be covering the state and provincial requirements for health and safety among restaurant workers—follow your jurisdiction’s laws to keep your team safe and healthy.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended as a quick summary of health screening requirements and should not be used in place of professional legal advice. The following is based on information gathered by Ogletree Deakins.
Last updated July 22nd, 2020
Health Screening Requirements in the US
Click the state titles to expand.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms, exposure (such as travel)
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Masks or cloth face covering required. Employers are not required to provide face coverings.
Other health screening requirements: All employees should be screened before reporting to work
Notes: None
Health screening requirements: Symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Recommended
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Screenings are required with a screening log. Some Alaskan regions may have their own provisions around employee health screenings. Check with your attorney or the government in your jurisdiction about the requirements for you.
Health screening requirements: Symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Masks or cloth face covering required. Employers are not required to provide face coverings.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Health screenings before shifts are required.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms, travel, exposure
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings are required for staff.
Other health screening requirements: Gloves are also required for restaurant staff.
Notes: The health screening is required daily before shifts.
Health screening requirements: Symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings or masks are recommended. The employer is recommended to provide the coverings.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Specific counties—such as Contra Costa County, Fresno, and Alameda—do require face coverings. Look up your county to determine what you need to provide staff.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Face coverings are required to be provided by employers and worn by employees.
Other health screening requirements: Gloves for restaurant staff and health screenings before shifts are required.
Notes: Denver has a specific health screening order.
Health screening requirements: Unspecified
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Mask or cloth face coverings are required, and must be provided by the employer. If an employer cannot provide face coverings, they must provide staff with information on how to create their own from CDC guidelines.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: None
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Mask or cloth face coverings are required, and must be provided by the employer.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: The health screening is required.
Health screening requirements: Symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Mask or cloth face coverings and gloves are required, and must be provided by the employer.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: The health screening is required before every shift.
Most counties in Florida have their own health screening requirements. Please refer to this document to find out the requirements for your county.
Health screening requirements: Unspecified
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Face coverings are required in most counties.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Refer to the above document to find out the requirements for your county.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Face coverings are required in restaurants and should be provided by the employer. Coverings should be cleaned or replaced daily.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Other PPE is recommended: gloves, face shields, etc.
Health screening requirements: Unspecified
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Face coverings or masks are required.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: None
Health screening requirements: Symptoms, exposure
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Face coverings or masks and other PPE are recommended.
Other health screening requirements: It is recommended that the employer take the temperature of staff before their shift.
Notes: Consider encouraging staff to wear masks and gloves.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Face coverings or masks are recommended, and required when coming within 6 feet from a guest.
Other health screening requirements: Health screening is recommended to be done by employers.
Notes: None
Health screening requirements: Symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Face coverings or masks are recommended, and required when coming within 6 feet from a guest.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Screening is required.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Not specified
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: The health screening for temperature and symptoms is required.
Health screening requirements: Unspecified
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings or masks are recommended for restaurants.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Health screening is not required.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms, exposure
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings are required, and employers are required to provide them to staff.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Health screenings for temperature, symptoms, and exposure are required. Verbal or self-administered temperature screenings are allowed.
Health screening requirements: Unspecified.
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings are required, but employers do not need to provide them.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: None
Health screening requirements: Symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings are required, but employers do not need to provide them.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Health screening for symptoms is required.
Health screening requirements: Unspecified
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings are required, but employers do not need to provide them.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: None
Health screening requirements: Symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Face coverings are required and must be provided by employers in Cambridge, New Bedford, and Beverly.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: None
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms, exposure, travel
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings are required and must be provided by the employer.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Pre-shift health screenings for temp, symptoms, exposure, and travel are required. Temperature is required to be taken by the employer if a touchless thermometer is available, otherwise verbal confirmation from staff is adequate.
Health screening requirements: Unspecified
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: PPE is recommended, but does not need to be provided by the employer.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: None
Health screening requirements: Unspecified.
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings are required but do not need to be provided by the employer.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: None
Health screening requirements: Temperature
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Face coverings and protective equipment are recommended.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Temperature screening pre-shift is recommended.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Face coverings and protective equipment are strongly recommended.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: It is unspecified whether or not the screenings are required, but restaurants are encouraged to develop and implement their own policies.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms, exposure
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings are required and must be washed or replaced daily.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: The health screenings are recommended and temperature should be taken by the employer before the shift.
Health screening requirements: Symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings are required but employers do not need to provide them.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Staff should be assessed for symptoms daily.
Health screening requirements: Symptoms, exposure, temperature
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings are required but employers do not need to provide them.
Other health screening requirements: Temperature should be taken by the employer if a non-contact thermometer is available, otherwise verbal confirmation from staff is acceptable.
Notes: Screenings are required daily before shifts.
Health screening requirements: No guidance identified
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings and gloves are required for restaurant staff and must be provided by the employer.
Other health screening requirements: Must wear gloves when in contact with customers or goods.
Notes: Read this document for additional requirements
Health screening requirements: No guidance identified.
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face covering recommended.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: None
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face covering required. Employer required to provide.
Other health screening requirements: Health screening required.
Notes: Continuous health screening process for individuals to enter the workplace. CFCs when employees are in direct contact with customers or the public.
Health screening requirements: Symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings required.
Other health screening requirements: Verbal screening required.
Notes: Retail businesses must conduct daily symptom screening of workers.
Health screening requirements: Temperature and symptoms required for personal services.
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face covering recommended.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Recommended that employees wear CFCs.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings required.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Employees encouraged to do a self-assessment each day.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms, travel, exposure.
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face covering required in Chickasha, Gurthie and Lawton.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Employers in Lawton required to provide masks.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings required. Employers required to provide. Medical grade masks and face shields recommended.
Other health screening requirements: Employee screening recommended.
Notes: Providers should also wear gloves when providing services.
Health screening requirements: Temperature
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face coverings required. Employers Required to provide.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Employees must wear CFC.
Health screening requirements: No guidance identified
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face covering required. Employer required to provide.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: None
Health screening requirements: Temperature, exposure, health check.
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face covering (Charleston required)
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: All employees handling food should wear gloves.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms, exposure, travel.
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face covering recommended.
Other health screening requirements: Verbal screening
Notes: None
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms, exposure.
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face covering required (Nashville)
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Screening required
Health screening requirements: Most counties in Florida have their own health screening requirements. Please refer to this document to find out the requirements for your county.
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F (99.6⁰ F in Dallas County and Austin)
Face coverings: Cloth face covering recommended. Required in Austin, Bexar County, Cameron County, El Paso, Hidalgo County, Laredo, Mission and San Antonio.
Other health screening requirements: Refer to the above document to find out the requirements for your county.
Notes: Refer to the above document to find out the requirements for your county.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face mask required. Employers required to provide and make available.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Encouraged to wear CFC
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face covering recommended.
Other health screening requirements: Employee screening required.
Notes: Please refer to this document for the full list of requirements
Health screening requirements: Symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face covering required. Employer required to provide for essential retail businesses.
Other health screening requirements: Employees required to verbal screening.
Notes: Employees working in customer facing areas at restaurants and markets must wear face coverings. Additional screening recommended.
Health screening requirements: Symptoms, exposure
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face covering and PEE required. Employer required to provide.
Other health screening requirements: Not specified
Notes: Employee required to undergo screening.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptoms
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face covering recommended. Employer not required to provide.
Other health screening requirements: Verbal screening required.
Notes: Employee screening is recommended.
Health screening requirements: Temperature, symptom
Temperature threshold: 100.4⁰ F
Face coverings: Cloth face covering recommended. Employer not required to provide.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Employee screening recommended.
Health screening requirements: Symptoms, exposure
Temperature threshold: Not specified
Face coverings: Cloth face covering required. Employers are not required to provide.
Other health screening requirements: None
Notes: Employee screening required.
Health Screening Requirements in Canada
There are not currently any rules around mandatory health screenings for employees in Canada. However, in order to keep your team safe, employers can require employees to self-report when they have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Provide your team with an online assessment tool, information about COVID-19, and encourage them to monitor their own health and let you know if they are feeling unwell.
Keep in mind that health information about any employee should be kept private and confidential. Employers may only ask for information that would directly affect the health and safety of the workplace—such as if they are displaying symptoms or have been diagnosed with COVID-19. When informing other staff that an employee may be at risk, it’s important to protect their identity by keeping the affected teammember anonymous.
Conclusion
This page will continue to be updated with the latest requirements around health screenings and safety equipment for staff in restaurants. Bookmark this page or follow us on Instagram to stay updated and keep your team safe!
Whether or not your state or province requires it, we recommend restaurateurs take the following precautions when it comes to staffing their restaurant:
- Have staff monitor their own health and wellbeing and report any illness or symptoms related to COVID-19
- Have staff inform you if they have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, or have been traveling recently
- Provide information about how to make or purchase face masks, cloth face coverings, or gloves adequate to protect themselves
- Use 7punches to have staff clock in and out with a built-in employee health screening assessment
Stay safe everyone!
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Dew Smith
Hey! I'm Dew, the former Brand Strategist. I cultivated 7shifts' social and content garden, and I looked for ways to grow our network of restaurateurs, local talent, and tech companies.