'Our social responsibility': Kelowna restaurant voluntarily closes after 'several' staff members test positive for COVID-19
A restaurant in Kelowna, B.C., is voluntarily closing for a few days after several staff members recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Central, a restaurant and bar close to Kelowna's Waterfront Park, issued a statement on social media late Sunday night.
"We are sad to report that, despite our industry leading COVID safety measures, Central has had several staff members test positive for COVID-19," the statement said.
"We feel it our social responsibility to close for a short period of time to ensure we are doing our part in curbing the spread throughout our neighbourhood."
The statement said it had received information from Interior Health that suggested "several restaurants, bars and nightclubs are experiencing outbreaks."
CTV News Vancouver has reached out to Interior Health for more information. The health authority does not have any workplace closures listed on its website. Just one exposure notice is listed for Gotham Nightclub, which happened on July 18, according to Interior Health.
Regarding that exposure, Interior Health said a "cluster" of infections had been identified, but didn't say how many. Gotham was the second nightclub in B.C. to be the subject of a public exposure warning since the province allowed such facilities to reopen with COVID-19 safety plans in place on July 1.
Health authorities in B.C. only issue public exposure warnings when there is a risk of COVID-19 transmission and officials are unable to contact everyone who may have been exposed.
Central said it plans to remain closed from July 26 through July 30. The restaurant's statement said its COVID-19 safety measures include wearing masks, physical distancing, partitions and sanitizing stations.
"This is not an easy decision but Central has always operated with the health and well-being of our staff and customers at the forefront of our business operations," the statement said.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Ian Holliday
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to quash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Manitoba Court of Appeal dismisses Peter Nygard's appeal of extradition order
The Manitoba Court of Appeal has dismissed Peter Nygard's application for a judicial review of an order to extradite the former fashion mogul to the United States, where he faces sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer's disease
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
B.C. court date set for 3 accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three suspects accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year are scheduled to appear in court in Surrey on Tuesday.