North Sydney pizza shop plans reopening
The owner of a North Sydney pizza shop that closed voluntarily after a staff member tested positive for COVID19 has informed his customers by way of social media that they will be reopening soon.
On Jan. 2, Donnie Bianchini of Bianchini's Pizzeria announced on the restaurant's Facebook page that one of their staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Bianchini stated the individual had not been in the building since Dec. 23 but they were closing to further investigate. He also stated it is not confirmed the person was positive while in the building until public health does contact tracing.
In an update posted since, Bianchini said all staff has been tested and received negative results and the building has been cleaned as an extra precaution with plans to reopen soon.
“Given the negative results from all staff, and after speaking with public health we are so happy to announce the virus was never in our building,” the post stated.
“We do apologize for the scare but can assure you that we at Bianchini's did everything to keep you, our valued customers safe.”
It wasn't known as of Wednesday when the pizza shop would be reopening. Bianchini could not be reached at his home number and there was no answer at the pizza shop.
The restaurant's voluntary closure was earlier applauded by many of the more than 1,100 people who shared the message on their own Facebook timelines.
As of Wednesday, Nova Scotia had 29 active cases of COVID-19.
On Wednesday, Nova Scotia Health and Wellness announced 12 new cases of COVID-19 including one in eastern zone related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. The person is a student at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish who resides on campus and has been selfisolating as required.
Two cases are in western zone: one related to travel outside Atlantic Canada and the other is a close contact of a previously reported case.
Nine cases are in central zone. Seven cases are close contacts of previously reported cases, one case is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada and the other case is under investigation.
One of the cases reported on Jan. 4, which remains under investigation, has been identified as a student at
Dalhousie University in Halifax who lives on campus.
Post-secondary students returning to Nova Scotia from outside of Atlantic Canada are encouraged to visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia. ca/ to book a COVID-19 test for day six, seven, or eight of their 14-day self-isolation period. COVID-19 testing appointments can be booked up to three days in advance.
In a news release, Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil welcomed returning students and thanked them for following public health protocols.
“I also remind asymptomatic students to get a COVID-19 test during their self-isolation," McNeil said. "Staying vigilant and following all the protective measures will help keep our case numbers low as our vaccine program is rolled out across the province."