To help food service establishments reopen as quickly and safely as possible, there is a new, simple “Emergency Operations Plan for Food Establishments” form operators can complete and submit online.
- Once establishments complete the form, they will receive a notification if Environmental Health requires a visit before they reopen. If a visit is required, please make the request by emailing ehrequest@buncombecounty.org.
- If you are not prompted to schedule a visit, your establishment can reopen, and Environmental Health will make a routine visit to ensure compliance.
We have only taken regulatory action for establishments that lost power and/or water during the storm and that are offering food for pay.
Here are some guidelines we are using to reopen food service establishments quickly and in the best interest of public health:
- Food service establishments that experienced an interruption in water or power need a visit from our office to re-instate their permit. We have been able to accommodate either same day visits or schedule a visit at a time convenient with the operator.
- Food service establishments that do not have a functioning municipal water source and would like to reopen need to complete an Emergency Operations Plan application, those applications have been emailed out to all restaurants in our database. These plans are being reviewed by the state’s Environmental Health section. Once the plans are approved, our inspectors are making visits to reopen the establishments.
- Food service establishments with water and under a boil water advisory need to follow best practices as outlined on our Boil Water Fact Sheet and do not need to submit an Emergency Operations Plan and do not need a visit from our office prior to opening.
- Food service establishments that did not experience an interruption in power or water need to reach out to our office and let us know.
For any questions, please call 828-250-5016 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
We do not regulate free food being provided to the community, but we are available to provide basic food safety guidance for those who would like support from our office to serve safe food.