We’ve all seen the news reports showing the steady rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine among Minnesotan healthcare workers, seniors, susceptible groups and educators, but until recently, there’s been nothing more than speculation as to when certified food managers and other food industry employees will be eligible. In a recent announcement by Governor Tim Walz, a more detailed tiered approach to coronavirus vaccine distribution was explained and it provides specific vaccination news for certified food managers.
New Vaccination News For Certified Food Managers On When Food Service Workers Can Be Vaccinated For COVID-19
Previous information stated that essential workers would be somewhere on the schedule before the general population, but certified food managers would have to make assumptions on when they and their staff would be eligible. On the current schedule, food service workers have been specifically placed into two targeted groups:
- April: Food processing plant employees
- April to May: Food production, food retail and food service
- Summer: General population
While these targeted vaccination windows are speculative based on vaccine availability, a clearer picture exists as to when restaurant employees, food processors and others in the food and beverage industry will have an opportunity to receive the vaccine.
It’s also encouraging to see that Minnesota is targeting summer for open eligibility. Once we’ve reached a state of herd immunity our restaurants can return to one-hundred percent capacity, diners will be able to enjoy special occasions with large groups of friends and family and we can continue to grow our Minnesota food industry.
How do you feel about food service workers and certified food managers being allocated essential worker status when it comes to the COVID vaccine?
