Two Rochester establishments were likely sites of novel coronavirus transmission last week, the Monroe County public health department said Thursday.
A person with COVID-19 visited the Dragonfly Tavern and Rochester Beer and Park the night of Friday, June 12, the department said.
Anyone who was at the Dragonfly Tavern at 725 Park Avenue between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m., or Rochester Beer and Park at 375 Averill Avenue between 9:00 and 10:30 p.m. last Friday should call their doctor or the county health department, health officials said.
"It is important to note that someone who was at Dragonfly Tavern or Rochester Beer and Park on June 12 could still develop symptoms over the next eight days if they have not developed symptoms already," the health department said.
People who have developed symptoms of COVID-19 after visiting either establishment last Friday should self-quarantine for 14 days after the symptoms began and be tested for the disease, the department advised.
Indoor and outdoor service at restaurants and bars is now allowed in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region under New York's state reopening rules, but there are rules to reduce the chance for transmission of the coronavirus. "Face coverings and good physical distancing are still required," the county health department said.
"This means wearing a face covering when you are not seated at your individual table and maintaining six feet of physical distance from others whenever possible. It is important for customers of our bars and restaurants to continue to follow these guidelines so we can keep community spread to a minimum."
The Dragonfly Tavern was the location of another COVID-19 exposure last week that the county announced Wednesday. The health department said there's no known connection between the two exposures.
County public health commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza said the health department has not taken any enforcement action against the establishment, preferring instead to focus on education and "appeal to everybody’s better judgement to do the right thing."
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that he's strengthening the state's ability to punish businesses that don't follow the reopening requirements. The state health department did not immediately respond to questions about whether it would take action against either the Dragonfly Tavern or Rochester Beer and Park.
