Four OC restaurants have temporarily closed their doors for deep cleaning and staff testing as state and local officials continue to take steps to stem the spread of COVID-19.
HQ Gastropub in Huntington Beach, The Boiling Crab in Santa Ana, Javier’s in Newport Beach and A Restaurant in Newport Beach are temporarily shuttered to professionally sanitize and disinfect the properties following confirmed cases among some employees.
HQ Gastropub said on social media it had taken a number of health and safety precautions upon the lifted restrictions for restaurants. However, despite the precautions, said some of its Huntington Beach employees tested positive for COVID-19. The restaurant operator said the restaurant and HVAC units were professionally sterilized. It also confirmed all employees were tested for COVID-19 and workers will not be allowed back to work without proof of negative test results. The company has not yet confirmed a reopening date.
”Moving forward, our hope is that these extra measures put in place will stop the spread of this virus and other establishments do the same if put in this position,” the company said in its social media post. “We will continue to take precautionary measures and keep our staff informed. The wellbeing and safety of our guests and staff is top priority. We appreciate your concern.”
The Boiling Crab’s Santa Ana location also confirmed to its customers one of its employees tested positive for COVID-19 and is now quarantined at home. That location is also going through a deep clean, with a reopening date for dine-in and takeout to be announced.
In Newport Beach, Javier’s and A Restaurant both informed customers their restaurants are temporarily closed for deep cleaning and testing. Javier’s said it expects to reopen the location July 1, while A Restaurant said it would be ready to reopen Thursday.
Marc Meulman, chief of operations for Public Health Services, confirmed to the Business Journal through a spokesman, Public Health Services is deployed to any workplace that reports a COVID-19 case. Staff testing and temporary closures are dependent on the facility size and case numbers. The agency, he said, does not confirm or deny specific cases.
OC Health Care Agency and Acting County Health Care Officer Clayton Chau reiterated that protocol and stance during a press conference Thursday afternoon, while also fielding questions about the ease of access to COVID-19 testing and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order mandating face coverings in various public settings statewide. Newsom’s order went into effect Thursday, reversing the Orange County Board of Supervisors recent easing of face coverings locally.
Chau said the County is currently reviewing Newsom’s order and would comment on it later in the day Thursday or Friday.
Go here for more updates on how OC companies are responding to coronavirus.
