COUNCIL BLUFFS. IOWA (KMTV) — Amid the ongoing coronavirus spread and limitations being placed on restaurants and bars in Iowa, the Pottawattamie County COVID-19 Response Task Force met on Thursday to discuss recommended practices for businesses still in operation.
The task force released a set of recommended actions for establishments during this time:
- Closely monitor food workers for signs of illness and send ill workers home immediately. Ill food works should stay home for seven days after they start having symptoms AND three days after fever and other symptoms stop.
- Closely monitor food employee hand washing and hygiene practices.
- Increase cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection frequencies for all areas of the establishment, especially high-contact surfaces
- Ensure disinfecting and sanitizing agents are effective for COVID-19.
The task force also provided the following resources:
- Businesses which are still open: https://www.unleashcb.com/eat/
- Pottawattamie County EMA COVID-19
- Iowa Department of Public Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Methodist Health System is offering a community hotline and screening tool at 402-815-SICK (7425).
- Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency has COVID-19 Call Center open M-F from 8am-4pm. 712-890-5368 or 712-890-5369
- Hope 4 Iowa Crisis Hotline – This Crisis call line connects individuals in crisis to a helping hand the resources to address and improve mental wellness. Available 24/7. Call 84-HOPE-4-IOWA, or 844-673-4469
Public and private sectors are encouraged to continue to coordinate with state recommendations and implement strategies to keep Iowans safe.