Our COVID-19 Prevention Policy
Yeah Those Cookies is concerned about the wellbeing of our customers and their families during these difficult times of unrest and uncertainty. Therefore, we are taking every precautionary measure to ensure the health and safety of our customers. We are thoroughly training our staff on how to prevent the spread of disease, such as COVID-19, as well as how to prevent food bourne illnesses. We are also providing the necessary tools and equipment as outlined below to provide adequate protection for our customers and our staff.
Background
The world is facing an unprecedented threat from the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (referred to as the COVID-19 virus). Many countries are following the advice from the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the introduction of physical distancing measures as one of the ways in which transmission of the disease can be reduced. The application of these measures has resulted in the closure of many businesses, schools, and institutes of education, and restrictions on travel and social gatherings.
Keeping all workers in the food production and supply chains healthy and safe is critical to surviving the current pandemic. Maintaining the movement of food along the food chain is an essential function to which all stakeholders along the food chain need to contribute. This is also required to maintain trust and consumer confidence in the safety and availability of food.
The food industry should have Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles in place to manage food safety risks and prevent food contamination. Food industry FSMS are underpinned by prerequisite programmes that include a) good hygiene practices, b) cleaning and sanitation, c) zoning of processing areas, d) supplier control, e) storage, f) distribution and transport, g) personnel hygiene and fitness to work – all the basic conditions and activities necessary to maintain a hygienic food processing environment. Yeah Those Cookies abides by the principles set forth as being a vital part of the food industry.
It is important to note that there is no evidence to date of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses being transmitted via food or food packaging. Coronaviruses cannot multiply in food; they need an animal or human host to multiply. However, Yeah Those Cookies reinforces personal hygiene measures and provide refresher training on food hygiene principles to eliminate or reduce the risk of food surfaces and food packaging materials becoming contaminated with the virus from food workers. Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gloves, can be effective in reducing the spread of viruses and disease within the food industry, but only if used properly.
Food Workers: Awareness of COVID-19 Symptoms
For the purpose of this guidance, food workers include food handlers, people who directly touch open food as part of their work. It also includes staff who may touch food contact surfaces or other surfaces in rooms where open food is handled. The term can therefore apply to managers, cleaners, maintenance contractors, delivery workers, and food inspectors.
WHO recommends that people who are feeling unwell should stay at home. All Yeah Those Cookies Staff are made aware of the symptoms of COVID-19. Written guidance is produced for staff on reporting such symptoms and on exclusion from work policies. Most importantly, staff must be able to recognize symptoms early so that they can seek appropriate medical care and testing, and minimize the risk of infecting fellow workers.
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
• a fever (high temperature – 37.5 degrees Celsius or above)
• a cough - this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
• shortness of breath
• breathing difficulties
• fatigue
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331705/WHO-2019-nCoV-Food_Safety-2020.1-eng.pdf