DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH

March 21, 2002

RE: Footwear for the general public in retail establishments.

Dear Peter Rupprecht:

In response to your question if the Department of Health has requirements for footwear regarding the general public the answer is no. We do have requirements for attire for employees of licensed foodservice establishments but it only applies to the employees.

I have no idea where this no shirt/no shoes/no service motto originated but it was not with the State Department of Health. The only local Health Department is the city of Sioux Falls and I know they do not have that requirement. I suspect it is something individual operators would like to enforce and feel that by making it look like a Health Department Requirement the public would comply better.

If I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact this office at (605) 773-3364.

Sincerely,

(signed)

David Micklos, Administrator
Office of Health Protection