Medical Officer of Health Specifies Requirements for the Collection of Patron Information at Local Dining Establishments
Written by Comms Team, September 16, 2021
Instructions Have Been Issued for Persons Responsible for Food Premises with Indoor and Outdoor Dining Areas
Due to recent large-scale COVID-19 exposures in the community, Peterborough Public Health has issued Instructions related to the collection of patron information at local dining establishments. Collection of patron information is mandatory under O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas at Step 3 and the Roadmap Exit Step. These Instructions enhance the provincial requirements and are directed toward owners, operators and persons responsible for food premises with indoor and/or outdoor dining areas.
As a result of recent large-scale exposures and insufficient patron contact records, Peterborough Public Health continues to follow a significant number of people who have been deemed high-risk contacts of a person with COVID-19. Two of the recent large exposures occurred at two different local food premises.
“Case management and contact tracing are essential components of our local COVID-19 response to prevent transmission and protect our community,” advises Dr. Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “These Instructions, which ask operators to use the template that we have created for the collection of patron information, will help to ensure that sufficient and thorough details of exposure are provided to our office, which will allow for efficient and timely follow-up, when large-scale exposures occur. And I want to remind everyone choosing to dine out that you must provide accurate contact information to the operator. It won’t work if the data is wrong. ”
Dr. Salvaterra noted that these Instructions are an extension of a requirement that currently exists in the legislation governing Step 3 of the current provincial restrictions. The Instructions aim to prescribe the exact information that restaurants should be collecting for patrons who remain onsite to dine. The Instructions do not apply to food premises that require patrons to order and pay for their food, prior to sitting at a table, such as cafeterias and fast food establishments.
Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health advised the community that the Instructions are mandatory and enforceable under the ROA. “Public Health Inspectors are educating restaurant operators to ensure that they are aware of the importance of adequate record keeping, and to ensure that these Instructions are implemented within their establishments.” Ingram noted that not only could businesses be subject to charges, but members of the public who refuse to comply or provide false information may also be charged with obstruction, as an offence under the ROA.
The Instructions, which were released today, are effective immediately and can be found on Peterborough Public Health’s website at: www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/public-health-orders.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391