Darnestown Liquor and Wine Store Closes Due to Employees With COVID-19
Montgomery County’s Department of Alcohol and Beverage Services has temporarily closed its Darnestown Liquor and Wine store after three employees tested positive for COVID-19, according to a press release. One employee tested positive on June 30, with two others a few days later.
All other employees at this location are being asked to monitor themselves for symptoms and are on paid administrative leave for the next two weeks. Any customers that have visited this location at 12155 Darnestown Road in Gaithersburg are asked to monitor themselves for symptoms as well.
According to a press release from Montgomery County, after closing, the store was deep cleaned and sanitized, which has been the store’s policy since the COVID-19 health crisis began. Other measures the store has taken include plexiglass at the registers, face coverings, social distancing in the store, and daily temperature checks of each employee.
Additionally, Montgomery County’s Department of Alcohol and Beverage Services is providing bi-monthly testing for all employees who opt in to this service within the next week.
The store has a tentative reopening date of Monday, July 20.
.@ABSMoCo has temporarily closed its Darnestown Liquor and Wine store after three store employees tested positive for COVID-19. Details: https://t.co/jW8RthMKp0. pic.twitter.com/d0ibhWxUoh
— Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD) July 6, 2020
I am not a frequent buyer of alcohol, so I’ve gone to this store the total of three times since the start of the pandemic. Because these visits were 2-3 months apart, I had the advantage of noticing the gradual decline in the precautions they were taking… on the first visit just as they re-opened, there was a person at the door sanitizing all carts, ensuring customer inside and in the checkout line are social-distancing, hand-sanitized everywhere, etc. Felt very safe and responsible. Second visit in May, I noticed things were a bit more relaxed (e.g. a customer without a mask was allowed in). Last visit a little over 2 weeks ago: no cart cleaning, sanitizer bottles are filled with water, employee at one of the checkout lines not wearing mask, customers in isles next to each other, no social distancing, couldn’t get out of there fast enough – felt very unsafe. So… feel bad for the people who got sick, but, unfortunately, not surprised…