Sampling Now Allowed, Customers May Pick Out Own Produce, & Designated Eating Areas Not Required
Effective May 15, 2021: Seventh Amended Executive Order 72
The Governor released amendments to Executive Order 72 to go into effect May 15, 2021. The following is information provided by VDACS.
With the CDC noting that the risk of transmission from surface contact or via food is likely low, the prohibition on sampling and/or best practices of pre-packaging and low-touch, no touch samples have been removed from the Governor’s Seventh Amended Executive Order 72, effective May 15, 2021.
And, there is no longer any prohibition on customers picking out their own produce. There is also no longer a requirement for a designated eating area.
Sampling and walking around eating are not considered a best practice. However, they are allowed. The seventh addendum to the EO still lists low-touch or no-touch as a “best practice” but it is not a requirement. Customers can pick out their own products, just as they would in a grocery store.
As reported previously, masks are still required for vendors, employees, and customers.
Employees and vendors must routinely clean and disinfect frequently-contacted surfaces during operation. So use wipeable tables/table coverings.
Executive Order
VDACS Sampling Guidelines