As COVID-19 case numbers have continued to climb in British Columbia over the past few weeks, several more food and beverage establishments have had confirmed cases at their locations.

Like previous cases, many restaurants have been voluntarily closing temporarily for cleaning and testing staff as precautionary measures.

In addition, more chains are joining the list of stores that are requiring customers to wear masks if they wish to enter their premises.

Restaurants

In addition to previously announced restaurants, bars, and nightlife venues, such as Yaletown’s Bartholomew Bar and West Oak Restaurant and the West End’s Score on Davie, some dining spots in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island have had confirmed cases on their premises.

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has added Hawksworth Restaurant (801 West Georgia Street), the contemporary Canadian dining room in Coal Harbour launched by chef David Hawksworth frequently named among the top restaurants in the city and Canada, to its list of potential COVID-19 exposure sites. The exposure incident occurred from 6 p.m. to midnight on August 13.

On social media, the restaurant stated on August 23 that VCH informed them that several guests (a specific number wasn't provided), who attended a private event in the York Room of the restaurant, tested positive.

The restaurant has closed until further notice. All staff members who served this event, and all colleagues they interacted with are in self-isolation and have been tested for COVID-19.

On August 20, chef Angus An’s Thai restaurant Maenam Restaurant (1938 West 4th Avenue) in Kitsilano announced on social media that a staff member tested positive and was in self-isolation.

Although VCH determined that this case was not a risk to anyone, the restaurant voluntarily closed to disinfect the premises and all staff were tested as a precaution. Maenam reopened on August 23.

On Vancouver Island, Il Falcone Italian Restaurant (536 6th Street) in Courtenay is listed by Island Health as having a potential COVID-19 exposure incident from 3 to 9:30 p.m. on August 16.

Anyone who was at these locations at the specified times and dates should monitor themselves for symptoms while reducing contact with others for 14 days after the last date of visit. Anyone who does develop symptoms should immediately self-isolate and contact 811 to arrange for testing.

In Vancouver, Tacofino announced that an employee who works at their Gastown Taco Bar and Burrito Bar location (15 West Cordova Street) tested positive.

Although VCH informed them that there wasn’t any risk to the public, the restaurant voluntarily closed the location for sanitization. No other staff members developed symptoms and were cleared  by public health, and the location reopened on August 21.

Retail locations

Loblaw has added two more locations with confirmed COVID-19 cases.

A staff member at Shoppers Drug Mart (2871 Livingstone Avenue) in Abbotsford tested positive and last worked at the location on August 14. Other Shoppers Drug Mart locations had previously been reported on August 20.

In addition, an employee at Wholesale Club (5335 Kingsway) in Vancouver who tested positive last worked there on August 18.

Meanwhile, two Loblaw grocery chains are joining the growing number of stores that are requiring customers to wear masks to enter their premises.

Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills announced on August 22 that all customers will be required to wear masks or face coverings to enter their stores as of Saturdcay (August 29).

Masks are also required at all T&T Supermarket stores in Metro Vancouver.

While masks are required at Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Alberta and Ontario, they are not mandatory at stores in B.C.