Update: VANCOUVER 鈥� 91原创鈥檚 500-seat Craft Beer Market has reopened after being shut down Wednesday because of a suspected norovirus outbreak.
Graham Wilson, director of public affairs for 91原创 Coastal Health,聽 said environmental health officers were 鈥渆xtremely impressed鈥� with the cleaning of the premises.
The pub-like restaurant was closed after a half dozen patrons and a few staff reported being ill.
鈥� 91原创 Sun
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Earlier story
91原创鈥檚 500-seat Craft Beer Market was shut down by 91原创 Coastal Health Wednesday because of a suspected Norovirus outbreak that could cost the company up to $20,000 a day.
The pub-like restaurant at 85 West First Ave., which boasts Canada鈥檚 largest craft beer selection, was closed at noon after a half dozen patrons reported being ill on the weekend, the health agency said.
It said some staff became ill this week, and as norovirus is highly contagious, there is potential for more patrons to become ill as well.
鈥淥ur best estimate is that it will be a couple of days before it can reopen,鈥� Coastal Health director of public affairs, Gavin Wilson, said in an interview. 鈥淏ut that鈥檚 subject to change, of course.鈥�
Wilson said the closure will allow for sanitizing of the entire establishment, and that the order will be lifted when there is no further risk of transmission. 鈥淲e鈥檒l be working with (the company) to get their restaurant open as quickly as possible, as long as it鈥檚 safe to do so.鈥�
He said that any food handler who has symptoms of the illness shouldn鈥檛 return to work until they鈥檝e been symptom-free for 72 hours.
Owner-operator Scott Frank said in a news release that two staff members had been ill.
鈥淎lthough it is suspected stomach flu we are unsure of its origin, and type and are taking the precautions necessary to ensure our guests鈥� safety,鈥� he added.
Ian Tostenson, president of the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association, said that he estimates the Craft Beer Market could lose between $15,000 to $20,000 a day when it鈥檚 closed. He said the World Cup has three games a day and those games 鈥渢end to fill up those establishments. Hopefully, it gets resolved soon.鈥�
Norovirus is a gastrointestinal virus that causes significant discomfort. It circulates in the community year round and symptoms usually appear within 24 hours of contact and last 24 to 48 hours. It tends to be dangerous only for people with immune systems weakened by illness or age.
