York Region Public Health will be following up with any diners at The Keg Restaurant + Bar in Newmarket who may have come into contact with a server who has tested positive for COVID-19.
“We are working closely with the workplace to receive lists of patrons who were dining at the restaurant and may be considered a low-risk contact,” Patrick Casey, director of corporate communications for the Region of York, said in an email response to NewmarketToday today, Sept. 30.
The public health unit was informed Tuesday, Sept. 29 of the positive case of an employee who worked at the Newmarket Keg during their period of communicability, Casey added.
Another employee, who requested anonymity to protect their job, contacted NewmarketToday yesterday to report that a server at the Yonge Street restaurant had informed the manager of the positive result on Monday, Sept. 28.
The restaurant closed Monday, and reopened the following day.
Public health conducted an inspection of the restaurant today, Wednesday, Sept. 30, to ensure the appropriate infection prevention and cleaning and disinfection protocols are in place, Casey said.
Three close contacts of the employee have been identified and informed of the positive case, he said.
“Only individuals identified as a high-risk close contact will be notified by York Region Public Health for further follow-up, isolation and testing,” he said.
Low-risk contacts such as customers will be advised to monitor for signs and symptoms for 14 days after they were last at the restaurant, Casey said.
Restaurants in Ontario are required to maintain lists with names and contact details of diners to assist with COVID-19 contact tracing.
Only patrons contacted by public health would be required to self-monitor, he advised.
“There is no requirement for the restaurant to close, however, further recommendations will be determined based on the inspection that follows,” Casey said.
York Region Public Health follows the Ministry of Health guidance on workplace exposures, he added.
The employee who contacted NewmarketToday said staff have been concerned about their safety, as the server did not always follow safety guidelines and had attended “Toronto hotspots.”
The employee said other staff members are awaiting COVID test results, “some of which will likely be positive as well due to employees not distancing themselves and having masks lowered.”
“The manager has been telling those of us raising our concerns that even though the positive employee may have been physically next to us for periods of time that we should be fine and still come in for our scheduled shifts … or (our) positions will be terminated,” the employee wrote in an email.
“Myself and many others feel very uncomfortable working (at a restaurant) that seems to not care about proper protocols and people’s safety.”
The restaurant's general manager, Brandon Collins, refused comment, saying, “I’m an employee, too, I can’t speak for the Keg.”
A response from a Keg media spokesperson was not received prior to publication, however, the company website states, “Your safety is our top priority. In keeping with public health regulations, we are currently practicing physical distancing and operating on a reservation only basis accepted over the phone.”
