Change to WorkSafeBC guidance re: group food preparation in schools

[Vanessa [VC] Lam]

Hi everyone, 

I wanted to let you know that I have received confirmation from contacts at BCCDC and VCH Environmental Health that the statement "Eliminate group food preparation activities" in the WorkSafeBC re-opening guidance for K-12 has been removed. Note that the change has been made on the website but not on the PDF version yet as I am writing this message. My understanding is that a lot of the written guidance was transferred over from the childcare setting guidance and this statement was not intended for K-12 setting. This means that food preparation activities can continue as long as there are proper infection prevention control measures. These measures are already stated in the WorkSafeBC guidance. 

However, I feel that there may be more questions as a result of this change. My question to the group is, do educators still need additional written guidance around food based learning in the school setting? If so, what kind of guidance or information is still needed? Please email me directly at vanes...@vch.ca by 2pm on June 22nd at the latest so I can share and put forward your input. Thanks. 

Best, 

Vanessa Lam, RD

Public Health Dietitian

Public Health Program - Child and Youth

Vancouver Coastal Health

Pacific Spirit Community Health Centre

2110 W. 43^rd Avenue

Vancouver, BC V6M 2E1

Tel: 604-261-6366 ext 3343  Fax: 604-261-7220