Of two South Surrey businesses listed among several in the city as being shuttered for at least 10 days, due to transmission of COVID-19 at the sites, one was listed by mistake, the Fraser Health Authority has confirmed.
According to the list posted by Fraser Health, the orders for Crescent Beach Marina (12555 Crescent Rd.) and the South Point Exchange Cactus Club Café (15079 32 Ave.) were issued Monday (April 12), in accordance with a public health order that came into effect that same day targeting workplaces where three or more people have COVID-19 and transmission is likely to have occurred in the workplace.
READ MORE: WorkSafeBC can now shut down businesses due to COVID-19 transmission
However, health authority officials have since confirmed that the marina was added to the list in error.
“There was a mistake,” spokesperson Dixon Tam said Friday (April 16) afternoon, referring to a closure order that was actually issued to the Crescent Beach Yacht Club, located at the same address as the marina.
Concerns were raised by a Peace Arch News reader and marina officials Friday morning after the marina was identified as an outbreak site.
Both asserted that the order affected the Crescent Beach Yacht Club.
“Management is working diligently to get our name removed from the closed list,” the statement continues. “The Crescent Beach Yacht club has been ordered to close not the marina. We at Crescent Beach Marina are taking all necessary steps to keep our staff and customers safe.”
A note on the yacht club’s Facebook page advised members that a 10-day closure order was issued to the club, and took effect April 13.
A short time later, posts on both businesses’ Facebook pages stated that the yacht club closure had been rescinded.
Tam confirmed that the order to the yacht club has been rescinded, however, he could not immediately say if COVID-19 cases were ever identified at the site.
As of 2:30 p.m. Friday, the workplace-closure list still included the marina, however, Tam said that will be changing. He anticipated the marina’s name would be removed from the workplace-closure list during an update of the listing on Saturday (April 17).
Other Surrey businesses ordered closed on April 12 were 24 Hour Flex Fitness Club (213-7130 120 St.), Evergreen Kitchen Cabinets (118 and 119-12651 80 Ave.), Blue Pearl Mortgage (200-5570 152 St.), One Stop Kitchen Idea Ltd. (12989 80 Ave.), Bobby Hair Studio (120-5738 175 St.) and the Guildford mall Foot Locker (1016-10355 152 St.).
A further closure order was issued on Tuesday (April 13), to Surrey’s Midland Liquidators (19335 Langley Bypass). Orders were issued Wednesday to Cheetah Transport (9785 192 St.), My House Design Build Team (15356 Fraser Hwy.) and H&M (10355 152 St.).
Businesses in Burnaby, Chilliwack, Langley, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Coquitlam and Agassiz also received closure orders.
The 10-day minimum is intended “to prevent further transmission of COVID-19,” and help “avoid or delay broader workplace closure measures,” according to information on Fraser Health’s website.
Workplaces will also be closed where on-site transmission cannot be ruled out, and reopenings may be delayed beyond 10 days if public health cannot gather sufficient information to assess the transmission risk, the site adds.
As well, businesses will be removed from the online list after the initial 10-day closure period has passed, regardless of re-opening date.
tholmes@peacearchnews.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
