At least 80 In-N-Out Burger employees tested positive for coronavirus, according to data published by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on Wednesday.
The outbreak is related to the chain’s two restaurants in Arapahoe County and El Paso, both of which opened last month.
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Another 25 employees are potentially infected, but have not been tested, according to the agency’s weekly report.
Employees who tested positive along with employees who had close contact with them “were excluded from the workplace,” said In-N-Out’s vice president of operations, Denny Warnick, in a statement.
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“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,” said Warnick. “Our thoughts and prayers are with our associates and we hope for a quick recovery for each of those affected.”
Two In-N-Out Burger restaurants in Colorado (not pictured) were connected to 80 confirmed COVID-19 infections. (iStock)
In-N-Out Burger is reportedly working with public health agencies and has “confirmed the appropriate steps” to be taken in response to the current pandemic.
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This includes limiting staff capacity in restaurants, minimizing contact with customers, reserving access to the dining room for take-away orders, ensuring social distance and providing hand sanitizer at each location.
In addition, self-service beverage stands are temporarily closed while contactless payment options are available.
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Employees are required to wash their hands and disinfect restaurant surfaces regularly. Health checks and temperature checks are carried out before shifts, however, employees who feel unwell are advised to stay at home in accordance with In-N-Out’s COVID-19 policy.
As of Thursday, the state of Colorado has reported more than 319,500 cases of coronavirus, according to the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard.
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It is estimated that 4,550 people died due to complications associated with respiratory disease. Meanwhile, some 17,000 Colorado residents have recovered.
The state has approved several public health measures and executive measures that encourage residents to wear protective masks, social distance and ride limits as needed, avoiding unnecessary meetings.
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