A popular downtown cafe has reopened in Victoria after implementing a precautionary closure following a worker testing positive for COVID-19.
Bear & Joey resumed service on October 7 after closing on September 25, 2020.
At the time of the closure they were advised by the BC Health Authority (BCHA) that the risk of transmission from an infected staff member was “extremely low.”
They said that the cafe had been strictly adhering to protocols including physical distancing, stringent cleaning, mask-wearing and providing hand sanitizer.
The infected staff member did not interact with customers, had no symptoms while at work and was wearing a mask and practicing strict hand hygiene while on shift.
Bear & Joey representatives said in a post on social media that the BCHA did not require them to close, but they took the step out of an abundance of caution.
In an update on October 3 on the cafe’s Facebook page, Bear & Joey staff thanked the local community for their support during the closure.
“The love and support that you have all provided has been amazing, we honestly cannot thank you enough,” they stated. “It is an absolute honour and pleasure to be a part of your community.”
