Rumours have been swirling after the McNaughton Avenue Tim Hortons in Wallaceburg shut down temporarily, citing the “evolving health situation.”
However, Chatham-Kent’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Colby says there is no outbreak of COVID-19 at the coffee shop.
“There are a number of employees there that are isolating because of a contact, we did not close them down,” Colby says. “There are a number of people that are on precautionary isolation, which makes it difficult for (the restaurant) to staff it.”
The corporate office of Tim Hortons issued a statement, saying one staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on November 18th.
“The team member’s last shift was on November 11th. The team member and those who worked with them are self-isolating for 14 days and will be supported through Tim Hortons corporate and restaurant owner COVID-19 compensation fund to provide for any lost wages,” the statement says. “Following public health guidelines, the restaurant has been closed for cleaning and sanitization and is expected to re-open on November 25th.”
Public Health says roughly 20 staff are considered close contacts with the positive case, which also links back to the Chatham restaurants that are dealing with outbreaks.
“Many food outlets are staffed by part time people which make a living by working in several locations,” Dr. Colby says.
KFC and Taco Bell in Chatham have voluntarily shut down due to outbreaks of COVID-19.
Quesada on St Clair Street in Chatham also closed of its own volition, but Dr. Colby says he’s unaware of any link between that restaurant and the others.
