Free ‘COVID-19 awareness online training resource launched by NSW Food Authority

To ensure food retail and foodservice businesses are informed, up to date, and compliant in relation to Covid-19 requirements, the NSW Food Authority has launched the ‘COVID-19 awareness for food service’. The training program is a free, voluntary online course developed for food businesses and covers measures and information recommended for Covid-19 control.

The training is a joint initiative between the NSW Food Authority and NSW Health that covers all key areas business need to know. It is part of an ongoing drive designed to ensure businesses are kept up to date with the latest public health orders and are aware of all compliance regulations. The self-guided course takes around 20 minutes to complete and finishes with a 20-question multiple-choice quiz. Those who successfully complete the quiz will receive an acknowledgment certificate.

It begins with an introduction and background relating to COVID-19 and the current pandemic, including basic facts and figures. This is followed by an overview of the NSW Government’s response.

The following section provides information about the virus itself, covering how it is most commonly transmitted, who is at high risk, and the most common symptoms such as a fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath. Links to testing clinics are provided.

Self-protective measures are discussed and explained with videos and a downloadable poster clarifying the main points. These include protective measures for premises and also recommended personal hygiene guidelines. There is also a section outlining requirements for cleaning and sanitation with links to mandatory requirements for food and drinks premises and employee health.

Other rules and measures that are discussed include the appointment of a COVID-19 Safe Hygiene Marshall, what they should wear, and when they need to be present.

The rules and measures surrounding social distancing are then explained in detail. These include separate sections for ‘behind the counter measures’ and ‘front of house measures’. Links to requirements such as mandatory QR codes and prescribed distances permitted are provided, along with an overview of issues such as the distance between tables and where to place signage.

The final key topic addressed was record keeping. This covers the use of QR codes for tracing possible outbreaks and the requirement that businesses keep records for a minimum of 28 days. These records must be available within four hours if requested by the NSW Chief Health Officer.

The ‘COVID-19 awareness for food service’ is incredibly informative and helpful. It can be hard enough for food retail and food services businesses to keep abreast of regulations at the best of times, and the pandemic has made that even more challenging. Although relatively brief, the course covers all the key topics those in the food industry need to know. There are also convenient and up-to-date links provided throughout.

The training works on all major browsers, and technical support is provided if required. The course can be found here: COVID-19 awareness for food service.