CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 PROACTIVE ACTIONS AND RESPONSE
Given the concern about coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to give you an update on the steps Morty's Cafe is taking. We are following public health guidelines closely to ensure thorough efforts. Below are the policy updates or changes being distributed to our team members.
Preventative Measures:
- INCREASING SANITIZATION FREQUENCY. All cleaning towels will remain completely submerged in a sanitation solution, unless being used to clean surfaces. Customer areas will be cleaned at least once an hour. This will include all door handles, common sinks and toilet handles, coke machine and condiment pumps handles will be sprayed with a sanitizing solution (Lysol or freshly made multi-quat sanitizer - no more than one hour old).
- UPGRADING OUR HAND-WASHING FREQUENCY. This is in addition to washing hands after changing gloves, exiting or re-entering into the facility. Also and especially, after restroom use, as is our current practice. Our new practices, starting immediately, are to change gloves at the top of every 30-minutes, and to wash hands in between glove changes. Hand-washing will be done after handling the register, the phone, touching yourself or accidentally touching another person (example: handing food and hands touch), before handling any prep projects, and after cleaning projects. A mandatory hand-washing form will be required for all team members to fill out for at least the next 30 business days. PLEASE NOTE: This practice may create minor delays in food production, as all staff will stop work immediately to wash their hands before returning to task. We hope our customers will understand.
- DINING AREA CLEANLINESS. To prevent the possible contaminated surface area, cleaning standards of management have been increasing drastically. Everything will be wiped down, switched out regularly, and washed. All food prep areas will be wiped down including the fronts and sides of storage containers/cooling units, table legs and shelves, prep sink and dish sink area. All food prep pans will be switched out with a clean pan no more than 1 hour before we close and dirty dishes washed. All equipment will be pulled out (including bottle fridge, register table, condiment station, tables and chairs, lobby and bathroom trash cans) and swept and mopped under every night. Condiment bottles and utensil containers will be washed and sanitized daily (season shakers, sugar containers, etc.).
- TEAM MEMBER SICK LEAVE AND VOLUNTARY TRAVEL NOTIFICATION. Any team members feeling ill, have a temperature of 99.0+, or are having respiratory issues are expected to call in and inform the shift manager. If any team members are diagnosed with COVID-19, they are expected to notify the general manager immediately so the appropriate measures and notification can be made. With the COVID-19 spreading at a fast rate, we have asked that all team members limit their travel to areas that Morty’s is currently associated with. If travel is necessary, they will inform the manager of the general area where they will be visiting, so a tracking record can be established in case local health organizations request information. Any team members who have traveled out of the state for spring break or visited popular destinations (national parks, malls, sporting events) are expected to notify the manager so they can document the travel.
We will continue to follow best practices on food safety and packaging in the kitchen. Our focus is always to keep our team members and customers safe. As this is a rapidly evolving situation, our response will be re-evaluated on a regular basis. Thank you.