Employees at Calgary McDonald's, Co-op gas bar test positive for COVID-19

Two employees one at a Co-op gas station and another at a McDonald's have tested positive for COVID-19 in Calgary.

A staff member of the Glenmore Landing McDonald's at 1600 90thAve. S.W. Calgary reported to management Wednesday that they had confirmed contracting the novel coronavirus, the fast food chain said in a statement Thursday.

Store management have shut down the McDonald's location for a deep cleaning, and have notified all coworkers whom the employee worked with. The employee's last shift was April 2 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., McDonald's said.

Guests who visited the store that day are encouraged to monitor symptoms and contact Alberta Health Services for more guidance.

Co-op staffer reports COVID-19

An employee at a northeast Calgary gas bar has also tested positive for COVID-19, prompting a shutdown of the location for cleaning and new guidelines for the co-operative.

The Village Squaregas bar had an employee come forward with the diagnosis,Calgary Co-op CEO Ken Keelorsaid in a statement posted to the organization's website Wednesday.

"We are following up directly with those potentially affected," Keelor said.

As a result, the gas station was closed for cleaning, staff were notified and Alberta Health Services was contacted, Keelor said.

'Spread by close contact,' sayshealth authority

When contacted Thursday, a spokesperson for Alberta Health Services said he could not comment on specific cases.

Tom McMillan said the agency does not notify the public when workers in food establishments or other businesses with public contact test positive for COVID-19 because the virus "is not airborne like measles."

"It's important to remember that this virus is spread by close contact," McMillan said in the statement. "Anyone who has not been contacted is not at risk."

Safety measures

Calgary Co-op has implemented new initiatives to improve safety, the company's CEO said in the statement.

Those include limitingcustomers to one per family, directional signs on the floors of the grocery store and employee-customer physical distancing.

McDonald's previously closed all its dining rooms, take-out services and curbside pick up service. Instead, it is offering drive-through and delivery.

Crews have been trained to minimize contact with patrons, a spokesperson for McDonald's said in a statement. Within the kitchen, crews have been reduce to allow physicaldistancing of two metres.

McDonald's has also installed drive-thru shields, and encouraged staff to wear gloves and wash hands frequently.