Taco Bell, KFC and Quesada, all in Chatham, have voluntarily closed their doors temporarily due to concerns over COVID-19 cases connected to each establishment.
CK Public Health is confirming that two locations have closed voluntarily after workplace outbreaks were declared at the restaurants.
“We can confirm that there are three workplace outbreaks,” says Public Health Public Relations Officer Stephanie Egelton. “We can name two of them, as they are public facing business: KFC and Taco Bell.”
A third location, Quesada in Chatham has also closed as a precaution. Management at Quesada has posted a sign on their door and made an online statement addressing the issue. That full statement can be seen below.
Public Health has NOT closed these locations. Each has voluntarily closed temporarily.
Public Health has conducted case and contact tracing at each location and the investigation is ongoing, although there is not believed to be a great deal of concern for members of the public.
“The confirmed cases had very low contact with members of the public,” says Egelton. “The individuals were behind physical barriers, masking, ensuring workplace screening, with healthy hand hygiene and indoor dining was not an option.”
Those who were in close contact with the affected individuals have been contacted and given guidance by public health.
“The locations are being very cooperative with public health to ensure the safety of their staff and the community, with the locations being closed voluntarily by store management,” Egelton adds. “We want to emphasize that unless you have been contacted by public health, you have NOT been in direct contact with these confirmed cases.”
There are currently six active cases among Chatham-Kent residents in relation to the three workplace outbreaks. The first declared workplace outbreak (non public business) has had no further additional cases, according to the health unit.
Public Health is also investigating a potential exposure to COVID-19 connected to The Moose Lodge in Wallaceburg. No further information is available from the health unit at this time.
