New York State Brewers Association Un-PAUSE NY Proposal
To facilitate the full reopening of breweries in the safest manner possible, the New York State Brewers Association pledges that breweries will adhere to the measures below for inclusion in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Blueprint to Un-PAUSE New York. These measures would be in addition to those requirements and parameters the Governor has already set by Executive Order for essential businesses. Existing measures include allowing for curbside pickup, delivery and shipping of beer and requiring all persons in public to wear a face mask when not able to adhere to social distancing rules.
Surface Cleaning Protocols:
- Surfaces
in public areas are required to be cleaned thoroughly with products that meet
the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) criteria for use against COVID-19.
- Public-area
surfaces, particularly high touch surfaces, will be cleaned with increased
frequency.
- Bathrooms
must be cleaned regularly throughout the day.
- Bathrooms
must be equipped fully at all times with proper disinfectant, paper towels (no
cloth towels), hand dryers, etc.
- Hand
sanitizer, soap and water, or effective disinfectant is available to the public
and employees where appropriate, such as at or near the entrance of the
facility or work site, at checkout counters, workstations, restrooms and
anywhere else where people have direct interactions.
- Disinfecting
wipes or spray that is effective against COVID-19 are available near
workstations and all high-contact surfaces (including all bathroom doors, payment
portals, carts, baskets, pens, shared tools, heavy equipment, etc.).
- Menus
must be posted on the walls, be made available online, or laminated for
cleaning and disinfecting. Menus will NOT
be handed out to customers.
Employee Safety Measures:
- Upon
arrival at work, all employees will be asked if they are experiencing any new
symptoms (coughing, sore throat, runny nose, etc.) and have their temperature
taken using a digital thermometer, such as an infrared thermometer, and
recorded. Their temperature must be within the range of CDC guidelines for
their age. Breweries should maintain records about any employee’s temperature
in a separate confidential, secure location to ensure compliance with privacy
rules.
- Employees
will wear a mask or face covering when interacting with any person in the brewery.
- Employees
will be trained regarding these protocols.
Measures to Keep People at Least Six Feet Apart
- All
employees will maintain at least six feet of distance from customers and each
other. Employees may momentarily come closer when needed to accept
payment, deliver goods, or when otherwise unavoidable.
- Tape or
other markings must be placed at least six feet apart in customer line areas
inside the brewery taproom and on sidewalks to public entrances with signs
directing customers to use the markings to maintain distance.
- Order
areas will be separated from delivery areas to prevent customers from
gathering.
- Tables will
be separated by at least six feet.
- Where
possible, customers will be encouraged to enjoy their beer outside, so long as
crowding will not occur.
- A
reduced number of customers will be allowed in the brewery based on the
brewery’s maximum indoor and outdoor occupancy.
Facility Management:
- Signage
in Customer Access Areas: Brewers will place health and proper hygiene
reminders throughout the brewery where customers have access. The reminders
will include information on the appropriate way to wear, handle, and dispose of
masks or face coverings. Brewers will also place the notices on their electric
monitors where possible.
- Furniture
in public areas will also be removed or rearranged as necessary to allow for
more space.
- Signage
in Employee Work Areas (including locker rooms): Signs will remind employees of
proper social distancing, face covering, protective glove-wearing, and
hand-washing protocols.
- Signage
at each public entrance of the brewery: Brewers must place signs at the public entrance
of the brewery asking customers not to enter the facility if they have a cough
or fever. The signs will tell customers
to maintain a minimum six-foot distance from others.
- Breweries will designate an employee to monitor adherence
to social distancing.
- Table
service or standing bar tables only (no bar stools where social distancing is
not possible). This will allow greater control over sanitation, when a table
clears it will be disinfected and wiped down for the next customers.
- No
self-serve water stations.
Customer Contact:
- Signs
will be placed in taprooms to remind customers and employees of social
distancing protocols.
- Continue
the Governor’s Executive Orders regarding wearing face coverings in public.
Consumers who do not have a mask or acceptable face covering will not be
permitted to enter the brewery unless the brewer supplies one at his or her
option.
- Hand
sanitizers are to be installed or located at the brewery’s entrances and in
multiple areas where consumers have access.
Breweries have been effectively practicing safe social distancing and sanitation procedures since the beginning of the NY on Pause order began. They are prepared today to open with the above guidelines and rules to ensure the welfare of the public and their staff are firmly in place. The New York State Brewers Association has collected signatures from breweries throughout the State who have agreed to adhere to both the above protocols and the attached “Checklist for Reopening Guide” published by the national Brewers Association. Enclosed, please find the signatures of breweries throughout New York agreeing to adhere to such policies.
