Toronto Public Health officials are warning that approximately 550 individuals may have been exposed to COVID-19 at strip club Brass Rail Tavern.
An employee of the venue, located at 701 Yonge St., has recently tested positive for the respiratory virus. Officials are now warning that people who attended the strip club between these dates and times may have been exposed:
Aug. 4 from 7:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (Aug. 5)
Aug. 5 from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. (Aug. 6)
Aug. 7 from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. (Aug. 8)
Aug. 8 from 7:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (Aug. 9)
Anyone who did visit during these times and dates is being asked to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms for the 14 days after their last visit. They do not need to self-isolate, unless they do develop symptoms.
Toronto Public Health has been notifying individuals directly who provided their name and contact information in the establishment’s contact tracing log. Contact tracing logs were one of the additional new health measures that were introduced July 31 for restaurants and bars, when Toronto and Peel joined most of the province in Stage 3 of reopening.
Dr. Vinita Dubey of Toronto Public Health said to CTV News Toronto said that upon inspection, the Brass Rail Tavern wasn’t following physical distancing protocols between tables, as well as for staff and patrons, and its visitor log was incomplete. In some cases, Dubey suggested that some patrons didn’t provide their real contact info upon entry.
“We have issued them a notice of non-compliance and we will be going back today for another inspection,” Dubey said.
Brass Rail Tavern did not respond to Yahoo News Canada’s request for comment in time for publication. They remain open as of Friday.
According to Toronto Public Health, there is currently no risk to anyone who attended Brass Rail Tavern outside of these times and dates.
“I just hope the result of all the follow up that Toronto Public Health is doing proves that nobody contracted the virus from that person,” Toronto Mayor John Tory said.
Toronto Public Health has followed up with all known close contacts of the employee and asked these individuals to self-isolate for two weeks and also get tested. It’s unclear how many close contacts the employee had at this moment.
Brass Rail Tavern is now working with Toronto Public Health to ensure that all COVID-19 Stage 3 reopening procedures are in place.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also commented on the situation at his latest COVID-19 briefing on Friday. He suggested the approximately 550 people should get tested.
“You got to practice social distancing, you got to put on a mask,” Ford said. “I know it sounds ironic … but you have to, it’s like any other business … we’re going to treat them like any other business.”
