A team of 20 chefs including support staff, employees of CaterEssence, have volunteered to live at the company's Central Processing Unit (CPU) in Qormi for the next two weeks to reduce their external exposure to the Covid-19 and help ensure continued and uninterrupted production of over 5,000 meals a day distributed to the 12 care homes. These include nine care homes operated by CareMalta and their respective staff, currently undergoing a similar "live-in" initiative.

This initiative formed part of CaterEssence's contingency plan for Covid-19 with preparations triggered this past week. Apart from the immediate introduction of very rigid sanitisation procedures for all incoming stocks and the daily screening of all employees, CaterEssence shifted all its administrative offices adjacent to its CPU in order to convert this area into living facilities for those who will be working and staying in the kitchen for a fortnight at a time. On Saturday the first team involved in this initiative brought over their personal belongings before the start of their live-in on Sunday so as to enable the sanitization of all items brought in.

In a message to all CaterEssence employees, CEO Ing. Alex Tranter reminded employees that CaterEssence is a resilient company even though part of the company's business activities in the hospitality and retail sectors have been very badly affected. He stated: "I know that we will get through these trying times. The only way out is to work together. My deepest gratitude goes to all our incredible team at CaterEssence who continue to serve our remaining business activities with enthusiasm and dedication throughout these challenging times."

CaterEssence has teamed up with the Richmond Foundation to provide mental health support to those involved as was the case with all those living in at CareMalta homes who started their live-in a fortnight ago.

CaterEssence, a leading contract catering company, which forms part of the Vassallo Group, will be marking its 10th anniversary next month.