COVID-19 Update and Response

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) strain that was first detected in late 2019. Spreading from person to person through contact with an infected person, symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of sense of taste or smell. Symptoms can appear in as few as two days, or as long as 14 days, after exposure.

While COVID-19 is usually spread through respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose, it is possible that, like other viruses, the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on surfaces or objects. Therefore, following good hygiene practices is critical.

Our Response at Doral Food Distributors

As part of our commitment to healthy and safe food handling and distribution, Doral Food Distributors is closely monitoring developments related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We have and continue to pursue appropriate action and precautions to protect the safety of our associates and customers, as well as to ensure the continuous flow of service to our customers.

In accordance with guidance from relevant health authorities—such as World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—we have created and developed new guidelines to achieve the highest levels of health and safety. We now have: 

• Begun providing masks, face coverings, gloves, hand washing stations and hand sanitizer to all associates.
• Activated pandemic planning protocols, which define procedures to protect the health and safety of our associates. Our pandemic plan includes recommendations for providing safe deliveries when necessary, including procedures to limit or eliminate contact between our drivers and customers’ employees.
• Thoroughly briefed our associates about the CDC and WHO recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as by practicing proper hand-washing hygiene and PPE.
• Proactively reinforced our policy that requires associates not to work if they are showing signs of flu-like illness, and to seek medical attention as necessary.
• Implemented daily temperature checks and health screening for all associates not working from home.
• Implemented investigation and notification procedures for situations where a colleague tests positive for COVID-19, including procedures for cleaning and disinfecting areas these colleagues worked.
• Implemented a requirement that associates wear face coverings when visiting all customer locations; at other business-related interactions where social distancing cannot be maintained, in buildings where social distancing cannot be maintained, and when required under local law/ordinance.
• Provided guidelines for proper social distancing in our offices and warehouses.
• Halted domestic and international travel. Associates may only travel for truly business-critical reasons.
• Cancelled or postponed large group meetings of more than 10 people.
• Developed an alternative process to avoid collecting signatures for customer invoices and guidelines for safely accepting product returns.
• Revised our health benefit plans to pay for associate COVID-19 testing, if necessary.
• Implemented a phased approach and detailed guidance to determine when and how to allow associates to safely return to work.

Stop the Spread: What You Can Do 

Some measures you can take to prevent getting or spreading COVID-19 are simple, but effective. These include the following:

• Stay home from work, school, and errands, especially if you are sick. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Social distance where possible. Wear a mask or face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained.
• Wash your hands often to help protect you from germs. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and warm, clean, running water. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Do NOT cough or sneeze into your hands. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Practice good health habits: get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.