Some Savannah restaurants close due to positive COVID-19 cases

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Several local businesses have closed after reporting that a member of their staff has contracted COVID-19.

It’s important to note that restaurants do not have to tell customers if a person at the facility tests positive. Those who are diagnosed cannot come to work, but their close contacts can as long as they wear a mask and are symptom-free.

Dr. Lawton Davis, with the Coastal Health District, says businesses can decide for themselves to stay open or closed, but ultimately you make the call if you feel safe to go or not.

Spanky’s Southside in Savannah will be closed for cleaning after an employee tested positive.

A sign posted on the door tells customers that the restaurant will be closed for the next few days for the safety of employees and customers. The sign is dated Friday, June 19.

The posting states that the restaurant has asked all employees to get testing and they will not be able to return without a negative result.

Molly McGuire’s also posted that they would be closing for a few days after an employee tested positive for the virus. They say that all employees would be tested before returning to work.

UPDATE: Molly McGuire’s posted an update on Saturday, June 27, saying the restaurant was back open:

The Five Spot posted a similar message on Saturday afternoon, citing an asymptomatic employee as the reason for their closure. All employees have been sent for testing and will not return for 14 days.

UPDATE: The 5 Spot posted an update on Wednesday, June 24, saying the restaurant was back open:

Service Brewing posted a similar message, thanking their patrons for working with them as they attempted to reopen. They will be closed until further notice after an employee tested positive.

The Rail Pub in downtown Savannah is also closed for the time being while the rest of their workers get tested and their buildings are cleaned, according to a message posted Sunday on its Facebook page:

The Shellhouse Restaurant announced on Thursday that it was closing for a few days after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

Treylor Park and Hitch announced the Savannah locations will be closed after receiving notice some of their customers tested positive for COVID-19. They are also requiring their staff to be tested.

UPDATE: Here is the latest update posted by Treylor Park & Hitch (6/29/2020):

Tubby’s Tank House in Thunderbolt will be closed for several days after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

UPDATE: Tubby’s posted on update on their reopening over the weekend.

The Melting Pot on Broughton Street says one of its employees tested positive for COVID-19. They have temporarily closed to thoroughly clean the restaurant under CDC Guidelines. The employee is currently quarantined.

Lulu’s Chocolate Bar in downtown Savannah says on Wednesday, June 24, they received news that one of their employees tested positive for COVID-19. They said in a social media post, “Although they haven’t worked in a while, we have decided to close to allow for our remaining staff to be tested and self-quarantine. The safety of our community and our staff is of utmost importance to us. We will continue to follow strict CDC safety guidelines now and when we reopen, and we ask that y’all be safe too. We hope to see you in the near future!”

Blends a Coffee Boutique announced on social media Friday (6/26) that one of its employees tested positive and they will be temporarily shutting down.

Bull Street Taco has temporarily closed after a member of their staff tested positive for COVID-19.

The Collins Quarter has closed their Bull Street and Forsyth Park locations after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.

Leopold’s Ice Cream announced their closure on Saturday.

[RELATED: 1,700+ new cases of COVID-19 reported in Ga. on Wednesday]

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