Canteen Information

School Canteens

School canteens when able to operate must have steps in place to ensure they operate in line with COVID-19 regulations, it is also important that P&C Associations remain vigilant and abide by any NSW Health announcement that may impact the operation of the school canteen.

Please refer to the list of links below for advice on how food businesses can operate in a safe manner.

The Healthy Kids Association

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces/industry-information/hospitality

https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/safety/Pages/NOVEL-CORONAVIRUS-AND-FOOD-SAFETY.aspx

https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/help/covid-19-advice-for-businesses

https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/resource-library/COVID-19-Coronavirus

In the event health warnings change regarding the operation of the school canteen, we suggest consulting with your school Principal in regard to advice from the NSW Department of Education.

COVID-19 Important Considerations for P&C Association-run Canteens

Food Handling

P&C Associations may want to consider following the below general practices:

✓	Washing hands between handling raw and cooked foods
✓	Thorough cooking and proper handling of meat products
✓	Covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
✓	Avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness, such as coughing and sneezing

*Source: www.foodstandards.gov.au

✓	Wash hands thoroughly and regularly with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly with paper towel, disposing of the paper towel in a bin fitted with a lid. Some examples: before starting work, in between meal preparations or food handling and cash handling, after cleaning up, before and after using the bathroom, before and after eating and / or breaks, at the end of the workday
✓	Wear gloves when handling cash and dispose of gloves to ensure no cross contamination
✓	Consider preparing prepacked food to avoid cross contamination or simultaneous handling of cash or other items
✓	Provide PPE i.e. gloves, masks, hand sanitisers etc.
✓	Wipe down benches and other surfaces regularly and thoroughly
✓	Avoid close contact with anyone sneezing, coughing or blowing nose
✓	Practice social distancing when and where possible
✓	If you feel unwell, it is best practice to not work or volunteer at your canteen

Useful links:

Food Standards Australia New Zealand www.foodstandards.gov.au
NSW Health www.health.nsw.gov.au
Australia Government Health Department www.health.gov.au

Employment issues

Should the school shut down, what happens with our employees’ wages?
We suggest checking the Fair Work Website for up to date information regarding employment and the COVID-19 FairWork Ombudsman – Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws, FairWork Commission and Services Australia. We also suggest that your P&C Association refer to the stimulus packages that the Government is proposing to assist small businesses through this issue as there maybe some assistance for the business.

School closures

What provisions should we be making for school closures?
Understand your current financial position and do a cash flow analysis to project how continued operation will impact on financial reserves. Work out how a possible school closure will impact on your financial position and take measures to ensure you could cope with it.

It is important to note that the current situation is ever-changing, therefore, information is constantly changing. We strongly recommend and encourage people to keep themselves informed with information from the Government, NSW Health, the Department of Education and your Principal.

COVID-19 Infection Control Training

This 30-minute online training module is for health care workers in all settings. It covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19.

This training is for care workers across all health care settings, including:

hospitals
primary care
aged care (both in residential aged care facilities or with visiting carers at home, including cleaners and cooks)
disability (both in residential/shared care facilities or part-time carers in people’s homes, including cleaners and cooks)
allied health
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
pharmacies
dental practices, including dentists, nurses, cleaners and receptionists

This training module covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19 including:

COVID-19 – what is it?
Signs and symptoms
Keeping safe – protecting yourself and others
Myth busting

Users must register, but registration is open to anyone.

Training is provided by our trusted COVID-19 training partner, Aspen Medical.