An award-winning high-end Vancouver seafood restaurant has opted to close temporarily following a confirmed employee coronavirus (COVID-19) case.
On Jan. 29, Vancouver Coastal Health issued a public exposure warning for Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, cautioning that anyone who visited the premises during operating hours between the dates of Jan. 19 and 23 should self-monitor for virus symptoms and seek testing if warranted.
While VCH considers the possible exposures "low risk," and did not require Boulevard to close down, the restaurant has this week shut its doors temporarily.
A message to guests of the restaurant, which is located at the base of the Sutton Place Hotel on Burrard Street, indicates that in the wake of VCH's exposure warning and "a commendable inspection" of Boulevard's "elevated hygiene and cleanliness protocols," management received notification on Feb. 1 that a member of its team had tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee "is currently self-isolating and feeling well," according to restaurant General Manager JP Potters.
Boulevard has now closed down for a two-week period, putting a hold on dine-in as well as its popular take-out "Provisions" online service, both of which are slated to re-open on Feb. 16.
"During this time we will conduct a deep clean and sanitization and provide our team members with the time to take a test should they meet assessment requirements," explains Potters in his statement.
Sadly for the business, this means missing out on Valentine's Day service, as well as several days of the Dine Out Vancouver menu offering.
