NIANTIC BREWERY TEMPORARILY CLOSES AFTER EMPLOYEE TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

East Lyme — The Niantic Public House and Brewery announced it has temporarily closed after one of its employees tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.

Brewery co-owner Jenn Sakowski said the employee has mild symptoms and last worked at the Public House on July 11. It was the only day the employee had worked in July, Sakowski said, and the person had minimal contact with customers that day, as he or she was not serving or pouring drinks but instead working at a takeout window fulfilling canned beer orders.

Sakowski said all six of her employees also always wear masks and gloves while working and make concerted efforts to disinfect tables and chairs between every patron.

Though Sakowski, her husband, Todd, and her five other employees have not experienced any COVID-19 symptoms, she said the brewery will remain closed until Thursday, July 30, out of an overabundance of caution despite being allowed to reopen this weekend.

“We are just trying to do what’s right for the community,” she said, explaining she and her employees want to ensure they are free of COVID-19 before reopening. “We could have opened Friday, but we are not taking the risk.”

The brewery was last open Sunday and has only offered outdoor seating for its customers since reopening for business June 5 after being shut down for months due to the pandemic.

Sakowski said those wanting to support the brewery during its closure still can buy its canned IPAs and pilsners from either Mermaid Liquors at 159 Main St. or Village Wine and Spirits at 241 Main St.