KFC is rapidly rolling out additional measures to keep employees and customers safe including temperature checks for employees and the installation of shields at the counter, where carryout orders continue inside the restaurant.
The measures taken at KFC come a day after the FDA released a “best practices” checklist for retail food stores and restaurants. The agency said employers can reduce transmission of the virus among employees by providing them with masks and taking temperatures.
On Thursday, KFC’s sister chain Taco Bell, also announced plans to start taking employee temperatures and providing them with non-surgical masks.
KFC spokeswoman Lori Eberenz said KFC is distributing disposable masks to employees. The additional measures will be rolling out “rapidly” to U.S. restaurants, she added. The brand has about 4,065 restaurants in the U.S. About 99% of domestic restaurants remain open.
Quick-service restaurants chains across the U.S. have been offering drive-thru, delivery and carryout service for nearly a month as jurisdictions across the U.S. began to mandate dining room closures to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
When stay at home policies began sweeping the nation, KFC immediately implemented several strict procedures to keep employees and consumers safe, the company said.
Ongoing safety protocols include increasing cleaning and sanitizing procedures, providing single-use gloves to employees, sealing delivery orders and using a small basket to exchange payment.
Rolling out now: Employees will be checked prior to their shift using infrared contactless temperature scanners. Front counter shields will be installed to provide a safety barrier when guests come in to order carryout.
Up until last week, federal health officials have not recommended the use of masks in public spaces. However, last week the Centers for Disease Control suggested that consumers can wear a protective face covering when visiting public spaces where social distancing can be difficult like a grocery store.
In providing its best practices this week, the FDA noted: “If FDA recommendations differ from CDC’s regarding employee health and COVID-19, follow CDC.”
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