Health officials are warning people that they may been exposed to COVID-19 if they visited Vancouver’s No. 5 Orange strip club on Canada Day.
“There has been a community exposure event at the No. 5 Orange nightclub in the Vancouver Coastal Health region. Public health teams have issued an alert for anyone who may have been at the premises on July 1,” said a press release by B.C. health officials on Wednesday.
The strip club in Vancouver closed Monday after it was made aware of a staff member who had tested positive. The patient is “doing well,” and the club has since been cleared to reopen after “a thorough inspection and talks with multiple officers at Vancouver Coastal Health,” according to No. 5 Orange’s Instagram account.
People who attended No. 5 Orange on Canada Day are being asked to monitor for symptoms for 14 days as a precaution.
“There is no known risk to anyone who attended No. 5 Orange outside that date. There is no ongoing risk to the community. At this time, there is no evidence that this exposure is linked to recent ones at Brandi’s Exotic Show Lounge or the Hotel Belmont,” said a press release by Vancouver Coastal Health.
It’s the second strip club in Vancouver that has reported a possible COVID-19 exposure to the public. Brandi’s, which has seen been allowed to reopen, had to close its door after multiple guests tested positive following their visits between June 21-25.
Strip clubs have been permitted to open under British Columbia’s Phase 2, which allowed businesses that serve liquor and food to reopen. Bars and restaurants are able to run at any capacity, just as long as a two-metre physical distance can be maintained between guests.
All businesses have been required to develop a COVID-19 safety plan for hygiene protocols and physical distancing. It’s unclear at this moment what are all the precautions that have been taken by No. 5 Orange, since its COVID-19 safety plan has not been posted to its website, even though it’s mandatory under a B.C. public health order.
According to the Vancouver Sun, No. 5 Orange installed Plexiglass around the stage to protect dancers. Staff also scan IDs at the front door to help with contact tracing.
