Local convenience stores are becoming a bit less convenient due to new orders issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
A new directive from KDHE is prohibiting the use of self-serve stations such as hot-dog rollers, nacho bars and salad bars at convenience stores across the state in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, self-serve fountain drink stations and self-serve coffee pots will be prohibited.
All food and drink must be handled or poured by employees. For beverages, all drinks must be poured into new cups. The reuse of cups or containers brought from home will not be allowed.
Individual unwrapped utensils will also not be available to the public and must be furnished by employees upon the delivery of food items. Lids and straws will not be self serve items and will also be handed out by employees with beverages.
KDHE also directs managers to ensure no employees presenting symptoms of COVID-19, or any illness shall be allowed to handle food or drinks. Sanitation of all surfaces open to the public such as countertops, door handles and the like must be done every 30-minutes.
Finally, the directive also indicates that touchless payments, paying by credit or debit card, should be encouraged in place of cash transactions as much as possible.
For more information, or to read the directive in its entirety, visit this story at KVOE.com where we have provided a link to the KDHE website.
