Tri-Cities restaurant inspections are on hold because of the coronavirus

The Benton Franklin Health District is working with restaurants to make sure they are minimizing the risk of spreading the new coronavirus, but has temporarily stopped routine food safety inspections.

Although restaurants are closed by order of Gov. Jay Inslee until May 5, they are still allowed to offer drive-through, delivery and pick-up services.

While most of the local health district’s food service team have been detailed to help with other COVID-19 prevention and tracking work, an inspector continues to respond to complaints and reported problems and to answer the numerous calls from restaurant management with questions about safe practices.

Regular safety reminders and instructions continue to be shared with establishments serving food in the Tri-Cities area.

“Proper cleaning and sanitation are important now more than ever in helping to slow the spread of COVID-19,” the health district said in a statement.

Restaurants are being told to screen employees daily for fever, cough and shortness of breath and to send any sick workers home.

Employees over 60, who are pregnant or who have medical conditions that put them at increased risk of complications from COVID-19 should be allowed to stay home.

Staff should limit face-to-face contact to under 10 minutes and remind customers waiting to order or to pick up food to stand at least six feet apart.

The health district also on Friday began recommending that workers and customers wear non-medical masks.

When routine restaurant inspections resume, the Herald will again publish results weekly, typically Sundays online and Mondays in the printed edition.