‘This case was contracted outside of the restaurant’: Saskatoon restaurant reacts after server tests positive for COVID-19

No one else has tested positive for COVID-19 after a server at The Canadian Brewhouse became sick with the virus.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) had released information on Thursday regarding a list of dates that could possibly affect the public.

The SHA had said the notice is being issued as a precaution, and that it’s currently believed that the employee who is sick contracted the virus from an outside source.

“I do believe people can identify the difference between an isolated incident and a public health risk,” said Peter VanGurp, Chief operating officer of Real Canadian Brewhouse. “It is a server that tested positive. They worked in a guest-facing environment, it was identified that this case was contracted outside of the restaurant.”

VanGurp informed us that upon being notified, there was a deep overnight clean of the property.

There was a heightened sense of awareness around safety and sanitization in the restaurant before they were aware of the server being sick.

When the SHA contacted the restaurant, it only heightened its sense of awareness.

“When the SHA contacted us, we notified all team members who were working the same shifts or might have had close contact with the team member. Everyone was asked to self-isolate and get tested, and all tests have come back negative,” said VanGurp.

The restaurant has had specific measures in place since reopening in June.

“All items have been removed from our tables, credit card machines are completely sanitized after every use, staff have been washing their hands after any physical interaction such as delivering food, taking glassware, and everyone has been wearing masks,” said Peter. “We have a QR-code system so you can look at the menu on your phone, that makes it so there is one less touchpoint for customers to have to deal with.”

The SHA has said that it’s been talking with the restaurant since the positive test result on Monday.

“We are a safe venue for our guests, and we are a safe venue for our employees to work in,” said Peter.

The restaurant was cleared to remain open.