Food handlers in the Territory are asked to note that additional food handler sessions will begin on Tuesday, June 30 in preparation for the 2015 Emancipation Festival.

Deputy Chief Environmental Health Officer, Mrs. Yolanda Penn announced that morning and afternoon sessions will be offered to food handlers every Tuesday and Thursday beginning June 30 until July 31.

Registration for the morning sessions will begin at 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and sessions will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m.  Registration for afternoon sessions will be at 1:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. while the session will commence at 2:00 p.m. ending at 4:00 p.m.  

Mrs. Penn stated that new and renewing food handlers will be processed together throughout the month of July.

She added, “In August we would revert back to normal food handling classes held on Thursdays only and processing new food handlers exclusively the last Thursday of the month.”

Mrs. Penn said persons should pre-register to reserve a seat for the session they request. She said food handlers who do not pre-register will be admitted if there is space. Mrs. Penn added that if the session is full, food handlers would then pre-register for the next available session by calling the Environmental Health Department at 468-5110.

Renewing food handlers are also asked to bring their expired food handler certificate, social security card, and picture identification or work permit. New food handlers must present one passport size picture, medical test results (stool and skin test), social security card, picture identification and or work permit.

All session will be held at the Quastisky Building downstairs in the Conservation and Fisheries Conference Room. Provisions should also be made for child care as children must not be left unattended in the hallway of the building.

The Environmental Health Division is committed to ensuring that all aspects of the environment with the potential to negatively impact health are managed efficiently to enable all persons in the BVI to attain and maintain optimal health and social well-being.