Burnet restaurant closes following COVID-19 precautions

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The Burnet Whataburger, 402 E. Polk St. (Texas 29) is closed indefinitely due to precautions the business enacted after an employee reported a "presumptive positive" for COVID-19.

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor

A Burnet fast-food restaurant will remain temporarily closed “out of an abundance of caution” after one of its employees received a presumptive positive diagnosis of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Whataburger 744 in Burnet closed Monday, April 20, for a “thorough deep cleaning” as soon as restaurant management learned of the employee's testing status, the company said in a statement.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a presumptive positive result is when a patient has tested positive by a local public health laboratory, but results are still pending confirmation at a CDC lab.

The employee who tested positive has not been in the restaurant since April 13. In accordance with CDC guidelines, all remaining employees will be quarantined and the store will reopen when staff is available, the statement said. No other presumptive positive cases have been identified from the eatery.

“Everyone’s health and safety during this challenging time is our highest priority. As Americans work together to navigate a new way of life, we continue to do all we can to provide for our neighbors while taking care of our team and our customers,” said Whataburger franchisee Jim Watts.

“Our employees and customers are our sole focus right now. We are monitoring this situation closely and will provide updates as we’re able.”

Whataburger said the company has a strategy in place for operation during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to increased cleaning and food safety policies, employees are not permitted to come into work if they’re not feeling well or have any signs of illness.

“Whataburger remains committed to safely serving guests on-the-go at our more than 830 locations, with increased cleaning and food safety policies in accordance with CDC guidelines,” the company added.

Burnet County Health Authority Dr. Juliette Madrigal was unavailable for comment by press time on Tuesday, April 21.

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