Masks Required For Restaurant Workers in West Virginia
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WHEELING -- If they are frying burgers, serving pizza or bringing a steak sandwich to a customer, workers in West Virginia restaurants are required to wear masks while working.
It's a little hard for the customer to eat if they are wearing a mask, but under guidelines implemented by the West Virginia Governor's Office, those handling, cooking and serving food must don a facial covering.
The protocol also requires the masks worn by employees be cleaned or replaced daily.
"Yes, it is a governor's order and it is in effect in all 55 counties," said Howard Gamble, administrator for the Ohio County Health Department. "And yes, we do get complaints."
He said it is the policy of the department to contact the restaurant and remind them of the policy, but no business has been shut down for an infraction.
"The only time we would shut down a business is if we found they had a blatant disregard for the rules," Gamble said. "What we do is issue a simple reminder that cooks and servers must wear face masks.
"We have had complaints, and have reminded businesses, but we haven't shut anybody down."
Restaurants also must train all employees on the importance and expectation of increased frequency of hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers, according to the protocol. The sanitizers must contain at least 60% alcohol.
Restaurants also must provide clear instruction to employees that they avoid touching hands to face while working.
While the requirement to wear a face mask is mandatory for food service workers, it also is highly recommended for the public to wear the mask "wherever they are," according to Gamble.