Toronto shuts down three King Street restaurants after COVID-19 violations

Thestar.com
Sept. 28, 2020
Sara Mojtehedzadeh

Toronto Public Health says it has ordered the closure of three King Street restaurants that failed to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including serving buffet-style food and requiring staff to work while ill.

The establishments -- named as entertainment-district steakhouse MARBL, Mexican eatery Caza Mezcal, and sprawling craft-beer purveyor King Taps -- were shut down on Friday night. A fourth unnamed venue is in the process of being served, according to the City of Toronto.

The closures follow TPH investigations that showed the establishments had “not taken the necessary steps to sufficiently protect both the public and employees” after a surge of new cases in the city.

In a statement issued Saturday, Mayor John Tory called the shutdowns “a real-time response aimed at specific businesses identified by our enforcement officials.”

“I hope this enforcement will ensure we are protecting employees and customers. Thankfully the vast majority of residents and businesses in our city are doing the right thing and following public health advice. We need that co-operation to continue so we can defeat this virus,” he said.

Health investigators found “a concerning link involving these locations where many people are connected to more than one of the businesses,” according to a City of Toronto news release.

“In some cases, for example, people infected with COVID-19 were employed at more than one of these locations.”

It is the first time the city has ordered business closures to prevent further spread of COVID-19 under section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, which gives medical officers that power.

Investigators found that one of the businesses ordered to close had been serving food buffet-style, which is currently prohibited. Another establishment was “unco-operative” with health authorities, “significantly impeding investigation efforts.”

“Staff have also been found to be working while ill or pressured to work while ill,” the news release said.

Separately, Toronto Public Health issued a notice Saturday to patrons of Warehouse on Yonge Street, where seven people -- five employees and two customers -- recently tested positive for the virus. An estimated 1,700 people are believed to have visited the venue between Sept. 10 and 17, and the health unit said it has followed up with all known close contacts during that period. Those who have not been contacted by health officials are considered low risk.

A Toronto resident who asked not to be named told the Star she reported King Taps to public health authorities earlier this week, after socializing with an employee who later informed her they had tested positive for the virus after a workplace exposure.

In response to questions from the Star, a spokesperson for King Taps said it had “absolutely not” pressured any employees to work while sick and it said it goes to “great lengths” to screen workers before each shift. The restaurant is “not aware” of any employees working at multiple establishments.

King Taps is now conducting a deep cleaning of its premises and a “review of on-site practises and protocols.” Its statement said guests who visited the venue on Sept. 6, 9,10 and 11 “may wish to contact Toronto Public Health.”

While the restaurant said it would work with authorities to determine a reopening date, it said it was also “seeking clarification” about the order to close. A company spokesperson forwarded the Star a copy of an audit conducted by TPH dated Sept. 22 that described its health and safety, screening, and disinfection measures as “satisfactory.” The report said “education” was provided about physical distancing measures at the establishment, and that the restaurant was advised to use directional arrows on the floor.

In an Instagram post Friday night, MARBL said it would be closed for the weekend due to “unforeseen circumstances.” In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the restaurant said it was “fully complying” with health officials’ orders.

“We have done everything within our power to protect staff and guests and now we must reassess and work alongside public health to ensure a safe and prompt reopening. We will be keeping everyone apprised of any updates and next step,” the statement said.

Earlier this summer, MARBL attracted criticism -- and an investigation from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario -- when a video appeared to show a crowded indoor party that violated COVID-19 regulations. Last week, a staff member tested positive for the virus, according to CP24.

A spokesperson for Casa Mezcal said they could not comment on the order to close.

Toronto reported more than 200 new COVID-19 cases on Friday. According to the Star’s daily count, the city has averaged 167 new cases each day this week, the highest seven-day average since early June. The province moved this week to tighten restrictions on bars and restaurants, including implementing an 11 p.m. last call.

“New data shows that unsafe social activity at a select number of bars and nightclubs is contributing to the rise in COVID-19 cases in our city. That’s why our Medical Officer of Health is taking swift action to shut down four high-risk establishments until further notice,” said Joe Cressy, councillor for Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York and Toronto Board of Health chair.

Earlier in the week, the Board of Health unanimously passed a motion to request detailed, publicly available information on workplace outbreaks from TPH. Medical officer of health Dr. Eileen de Villa said the health unit was exploring how to provide data in “a manner that appropriately protects privacy.”

“Right now, we need to stop the spread of COVID and keep people safe while also making it possible for kids to go to school, people to go to work and public services to operate safely,” Cressy said in a statement Saturday.

“This isn’t easy, but together we can do this.”