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MKT temporarily closed for a deep cleaning this summer after a staff member tested positive.
Before the restrictions went into effect on Friday, MKT closed at midnight on the weekend. Sachse said it wasn’t the blow to the business, but now they’re losing two hours of alcohol sales. He noted that local bars would be affected more than restaurants.
While stating that public safety should be the top priority, Sachse added that it would be easier to accept the new restrictions if the data showed that restaurants are responsible for the epidemics. As of Friday, 65% of active cases had an unknown origin. The largest known transmission area is through close contacts.
“I think the general feeling in the industry is that this is another major blow to our livelihood,” Sachse said. “We’re just such an easy target when the data doesn’t show restaurants are the cause of these outbreaks.”
When he announced the latest restrictions on Thursday, Keney said 99% of hospitality operators are likely not to have seen an epidemic.
Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, said long periods of socializing and drinking in bars pose a risk of spreading COVID-19.
Across the street from MKT, the large open-air Cook County Saloon sign says it’s closed until further notice. An online statement says the bar will be closed for the next two weeks.
“If you’ve been following us or have visited us recently, it’s easy to see how these regulations impact us greatly,” reads a statement posted on the Cook County website. “Due to these events and our desire to protect you and your families, it is with a heavy heart that we must announce the temporary closure of Cook County Saloon.”
Further down on Whyte Avenue, a trio of restaurants have announced temporary closure. Meat, The Next Act Pub and Pip announced that “a couple” of staff members tested positive and would close as a precaution.
“Our job is to create a space that is welcoming and fun, but above all safe! We will reopen once we are sure we can respect the end of the agreement, “reads a statement posted on the Next Act Instagram account.
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