clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Austin Restaurants Are Required to Sanitize Surfaces Every Hour in Wake of Coronavirus Outbreak

Austin Public Health released new emergency rules in order to mitigate coronavirus spread

by Nadia Chaudhury
A dining table in a restaurant
Austin restaurants will have to clean oft-touched surfaces like tables
Shebeko/Shutterstock
Nadia Chaudhury is the editor of Eater Austin covering food and pop culture, as well as a photographer, writer, and frequent panel moderator and podcast guest.
Part of A Guide to Coronavirus and the Food World

Austin Public Health (APH) established a set of required rules for Austin restaurants and food trucks in order to help mitigate the spread of novel coronavirus in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, as of Friday, March 13.

Austin businesses with food permits and people in charge of food-related businesses have to:

  • Disinfect and sanitize all surfaces and points of contact (i.e., touch screen ordering pads, equipment) every hour at the very least
  • Publicly display APH’s signage regarding disease prevention
  • Make sure there is hand sanitizer available for public and customer use
  • Make sure that employees who are sick with a fever of 100.4 degrees or more stay at home

The rules are in effect through Sunday, July 12. Failure to follow the requirements could lead to food permit suspensions. Many Austin restaurants have already implemented a lot of these practices in light of the global pandemic to ensure the safety of its employees and guests.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler recently banned events and gatherings consisting of 250 or more people through the end of April.

A Guide to Coronavirus and the Food World