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Oak Bay pub closes temporarily after COVID exposure

Oak Bay’s Penny Farthing Pub and adjoining Vis a Vis restaurant will be closed until June 16 for what the company calls a “professional deep clean” after a COVID-19 exposure last week.
Coronavirus

Oak Bay’s Penny Farthing Pub and adjoining Vis a Vis restaurant will be closed until June 16 for what the company calls a “professional deep clean” after a COVID-19 exposure last week.

In a note on its website, the company said it was informed of the exposure at the pub and Island Health conducted a “thorough walkthrough assessment of the pub and have deemed it to be not high-risk to the public.”

General manager Matthew Field said the exposure is likely to have happened between June 4 and June 10.

“We have had staff members test positive consistent with those dates,” he said. “We would like to express our gratitude for the continued support of the community as we take the time we need to implement the measures and precautions necessary to ensure our restaurant is safe to welcome back staff and patrons.”

Island Health said there was no direction given to close the restaurants.

“The Penny Farthing and Vis a Vis have voluntarily shut our doors for the time being,” said Field. “We have been working closely with Island Health and strictly following their guidance.”

He said contact tracing was carried out by public health and anyone believed to be at high risk should have been contact already. “Anyone who is still uncertain and seeking further direction, I would encourage to reach out to Island Health officials.”