‘Stay diligent:’ Reeve of Emma Lake area responds to positive COVID-19 test at local bar

“It can happen anywhere.”

That’s the message from the District of Lakeland’s Reeve, Cheryl Bauer Hyde following a positive COVID-19 case of a worker at Sunnyside Bar Monday.

Sunnyside Bar is located in Emma Lake, which is part of the District of Lakeland.

Bauer Hyde told 650 CKOM her initial thoughts after she heard the news of the positive case in her district.

“(Just) how easily this happens. There (are) people in and out of the area or even if you’re just staying at home, that are asymptomatic. (They) may not even know if they have COVID,” she said Tuesday.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) warned the public about the positive case Monday night. It is asking anyone who visited the bar between Friday and Sunday between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. to self-monitor for symptoms of the coronavirus.

Anyone with symptoms is being asked to self-isolate immediately and call the 811 HealthLine.

Bauer Hyde did have a message for her residents in the district, which serves in and around Emma, Christopher, Anglin and McPhee Lakes.

“Stay diligent, keep your bubbles,” she said. “Try to enjoy the outdoors without being in contact with a lot of other people and stay safe.”

In a Facebook post Monday night, Sunnyside Bar says it will be closing its in-restaurant dining until July 14.