UPDATE: Three Bars Close Over Potential COVID-19 Exposure Concerns

At least three Saint John bars closed their doors temporarily Thursday over concerns about potential COVID-19 exposure.

Rocky’s Sports Bar first warned the public about possible exposure in a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon.

The post said it would have occurred last Friday and Saturday night, November 13th and 14th.

A subsequent post said the possible exposure, which was “from patrons visiting us,” would have occurred after 10 p.m. Friday and after 9 p.m. Saturday.

The bar said it would remain closed until Saturday to allow for disinfection and quarantining for staff.

All staff are being tested for COVID-19 but Rocky’s said none are showing any symptoms at this time.

Five and Dime bar on Grannan Street also announced in a Facebook post that it would remain closed on Thursday night.

“We have been in touch with Public Health throughout the day as there was concern that an individual entered our establishment last Friday night who has now tested positive for Covid,” said the post. “Luckily, the group he/she was with came in at a late hour when virtually no one else was at the bar.”

The post went on to say they decided to remain closed as a precaution to give the bar an extra round of cleaning. The staff member who was working late Friday evening is self-isolating for two weeks and currently does not have any symptoms.

Public Health said anyone who was at the bar between 12:30 and 2:30 a.m. Saturday should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

Health officials said they also identified potential public exposure at Freddie’s Pizza on Charlotte Street between 2:30 and 3 a.m. Saturday.

Eighty Three Bar Arcade on Princess Street also sent out a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon.

It said because of a possible COVID-19 transmission at an uptown bar, they have decided to close Thursday evening.

Management at the bar said while they have not been contacted by Public Health, they will await more information as contact tracing continues.

“There is no indication of a possible exposure at Eighty Three Bar Arcade,” the business replied to one individual on its post. “We have decided to close tonight until we hear further information of the possible transmission at another bar in the uptown area Nov. 13 and 14th.”