COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (KRDO) – Just over a month after Colorado’s first In-N-Out locations opened, the state is reporting outbreaks of COVID-19 at restaurants in Aurora and Colorado Springs.
The Colorado Springs site has 60 employees who tested positive for COVID-19, according to state data updated on Wednesday. The outbreak was confirmed on December 6 and is still active; nine other team members at the Springs location are considered positive for the virus.
In-N-Out client Rachel Tulizewski was unaware of the outbreak until she had already eaten.
“It’s a little worrying, but does it transfer through food or something? I really don’t know,” said Tulizewski.
At Aurora’s In-N-Out, the outbreak was confirmed on December 17, and 20 team members tested positive for the coronavirus, while another 16 were considered positive.
Restaurants do not represent a large part of the COVID-19 outbreaks in Colorado, however, the two popular snack bars have been busy with a flow of customers since they opened.
IN-N-OUT IS OPEN: Years of anticipation have led to giant rows of Double-Doubles and Animal Style fries, so was it worth the wait? pic.twitter.com/wS0TodRtMP
– KRDO NewsChannel 13 (@ KRDONC13) November 20, 2020
Both sites remain open amid reported outbreaks. A family learned of the outbreak while waiting to place the order on the drive thru.
“It was more of a calm reaction,” said Jane Schimon. “Because we think it’s not really on surfaces and it shouldn’t really affect you in any way. But there was definitely a small reaction. “
El Paso County Public Health spokeswoman Michelle Hewitt said in a statement: “Public health has been working with In-N-Out since this outbreak was identified to provide education, guidance and technical assistance. This includes verification of appropriate quarantine and isolation measures, guidance on cleaning and disinfection and recommendations as needed. “
Denny Warnick, the vice president of operations at In-N-Out, sent the following statement to KRDO:
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our customers and associates. We are committed to doing our part to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
Over the past few weeks, we have had a worrying number of Colorado members who have tested positive for COVID-19. Our thoughts and prayers are with our associates and we hope for a quick recovery for each of those affected. Of course, all positive associates and those who had close contact with them were excluded from the workplace.
We continue to work closely with our public health agencies and confirm the appropriate measures to help protect our communities. These steps include: limiting staff to the minimum number needed to serve our customers, using team “cohorts” to limit possible exposure and limiting access to the dining room for delivery orders, ensuring appropriate physical distance.
At In-N-Out, we always use the highest health and safety standards to protect our customers. This includes excellent hand washing practices and frequent disinfection procedures for the entire restaurant. We strictly require members not to work from home when they are not feeling well. As an added layer of caution, each Associate receives a thorough health check and temperature check before starting work. We continue to provide contactless payment options, our self-service beverage stations are temporarily closed and we are providing hand sanitizer to our customers and associates at all locations.