What are the rules (if any) about staff wearing PPE in places that serve food?

[Littlemiss74]

Just wondered if there are any rules around staff wearing PPE when serving food? Some places I’ve been have been excellent, wearing visors, gloves, wiping things clean constantly etc. Then other places have nothing at all. Today we treated ourselves to an ice cream from a touristy shop/kiosk so we were outside and they were inside. The man had no gloves or shield on and the lady then said cash is preferable to pay! We used contactless. It put me off my ice cream that he had not worn gloves, already ordered them by the time I realised.

Just wondered if others have noticed it seems to vary from place to place. I thought there would be government rules in place for all places serving food? Don’t think I’ll bother again as don’t want to be worrying ever afterwards!

The guidance says that food isn't thought to be a risk, and just recommends lots of hand washing.

As long as they wash hands thoroughly
in between customers it’s no different to wearing gloves.

I went to two seafront eateries today. No masks. No gloves. No numbers collected or tables wiped. In fact, hardly saw any mask wearers - despite crowds.

It is absolutely horrendous for food services companies at the moment. Not told by government to wear masks/PPE, so some customers are rude and angry (due to anxiety) if staff don’t wear them, other customers belittle and complain if staff do wear them.

Everyone expects the world around them to adhere to THEIR own perception of risk, which is impossible to do.

If you want to understand what I mean, look at some of the big restaurants/hotels/camp sites in Cornwall and Devon on Tripadvisor . 1 reviews saying it was disgusting that there was limited PPE being worn (remember it’s not law, staff can choose), and then the very next review is another 1 review saying how “it’s not the same experience” as they were served by a staff member in a mask, with other disparaging comments about how it ruined their stay/visit.

Until the government say either all restaurant staff AND customers must wear PPE or no-one is expected to wear PPE, no- one will be happy. Until then it is just perception of risk on both sides.