Sponsored By

CDC removes recent guidance on aerosol COVID-19

Agency says advice was ‘proposed’ and recommendations were posted Friday in error

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 21, 2020

1 Min Read
cdc-reverses-ventilation-guidelines.jpg
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday deleted guidance on aerosol transmission of COVID-19 that it posted on Friday.Alexi Rosenfeld / Contributor / Getty Images Entertainment

Adding to the confusion for restaurateurs in the process of reopening indoor dining rooms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday reversed itself on aerosol transmission of COVID-19 after updating its guidance on Friday.

“A draft version of proposed changes to these recommendations was posted in error to the agency’s official website,” the agency said in a note Monday, after the Friday guidance was removed.

“CDC is currently updating its recommendations regarding airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19),” the government agency added. “Once this process has been completed, the update language will be posted.”

The CDC, in guidance published on Friday and reported by CNN, said the coronavirus can commonly spread "through respiratory droplets or small particles, such as those in aerosols," which are produced even when a person breathes. Sneezes or coughs are believed to produce larger droplets.

The reversed guidance makes no mention of aerosol transmission, but it does maintain recommendations on six feet of distancing. The way the virus is transmitted impacts operations, including restaurant ventilation.

The agency’s update Monday followed a string of policy reversals, including those on mask-wearing, who should be tested and the reopening of businesses.

A CDC-published study earlier in the month indicated adults who tested positive for COVID-19 during a peak summer resurgence of the deadly virus were twice as likely to have reported dining on site at a restaurant or drinking establishment within two weeks of being tested as compared to those who tested negative.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.

You May Also Like