The area's top public-health official says a Hepatitis A alert issued for a north-end Barrie restaurant shouldn’t keep anyone away from going there to eat.
In an earlier advisory issued Friday afternoon, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit alerted that public that people who were at State & Main restaurant, located at 467 Cundles Rd. E., near Duckworth Street and Highway 400, during specific dates and times may have been exposed to the virus.
The health unit’s medical officer of health, Dr. Charles Gardner, tells BarrieToday that the restaurant is now safe for people to dine.
“An investigation was held immediately upon finding out about the situation and this should in no way be a reflection of the restaurant. It was an employee with the virus,” the doctor said Friday afternoon.
The health unit says the Hepatitis A virus is easily transmitted from person to person, and can be spread when people who have the virus contaminate food, drinks, surfaces, and everyday objects.
Health unit officials have indicated restaurant management is working closely with public health agency.
Restaurant management were unavailable for comment when reached by BarrieToday.
While a restaurant closure is sometimes required, Gardner said there was no need to make that order for this establishment.
“In cases of closing a facility due to a virus, that would be our determination to make, but in this case, it was not needed and anyone who wishes is able to eat at the restaurant,” he said.
The health unit is holding Hepatitis A immunization clinics tonight (Friday, July 19, 2019) and this weekend (July 20-21) for people who may have been exposed to the virus at the Cundles Road East restaurant during these dates and times:
· Friday, June 21, 5 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
· Thursday, June 27, 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
· Friday, June 28, 10:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
· Saturday, June 29, 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
· Thursday, July 4, 5:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
· Friday, July 5, 6:30 p.m. – midnight
· Wednesday, July 10, 3:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
· Thursday, July 11, 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Customers and staff who were at the restaurant during the dates and times listed may have been exposed by a food handler with the virus.
Staff and customers who visited the restaurant during the periods listed should be immunized at the clinics being held at the health unit at 15 Sperling Dr., in Barrie, on:
· Friday, July 19, 4 – 8 p.m.
· Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
· Sunday, July 21, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
For information about Hepatitis A or if you are experiencing symptoms and have dined at the restaurant on any of the dates noted, call Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 ext. 5829 or follow up with your primary health-care provider.
The phone lines are extended today until 8 p.m. and are open Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More information is also available at www.smdhu.org.
