Over the course of several weeks four employees at the White Spot restaurant in North Delta have tested positive for COVID-19.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, four cases of COVID-19 among employees working at a White Spot on 72nd and Scott Road were confirmed by Bill Senghera, risk manager for White Spot. Senghera said all employees have either completed contact tracing or are currently doing so and pose no threat to the restaurant’s safety.
The first cases among two closely associated employees was reported several weeks ago. Senghera said the two employees have been off work long enough to not put anyone at risk and have completed their contact tracing conducted through Fraser Health.
Another two cases were reported over the Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 weekend but Senghera said they haven’t worked at the restaurant for at least a week and are currently going through contact tracing.
“White Spot has been committed to and has been since day one in terms of ensuring that we're following all processes and protocols that have been set out by provincial health and WorksafeBC,” Senghera said.
In addition to enhanced cleaning protocols, Senghera said White Spot has a strict policy that employees don't come to work if they're feeling ill. Senghera also said once employees do come back to work there are several other measures taken by the restaurant chain to ensure employees and the public’s safety.
In an email to the Optimist, Aletta Vanderheyden a spokesperson from Fraser Health explained why the public is not notified when an employee tests positive for COVID-19.
“Every time there is a positive test in B.C., Public Health connects with anyone who may have come into contact with the case so they are aware and can be monitored for symptoms,” Vanderheyden said. “We do not identify the specific location of confirmed cases unless public health providers cannot be certain they have reached all those who need to be contacted, and who therefore might be a risk to the public.”
Vanderheyden went on to say that every employer is required to have a COVID-19 safety plan that assesses the risk of exposure at their workplace and implement measures to keep their workers safe.
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