Covid-19 cases affect restaurants on coast

Two businesses named in Gualala, one in Point Arena

Recently identified cases of Covid-19 are connected to three restaurants on the southern coast of Mendocino County, Public Health officials reported this week.

According to a Monday press release, an unidentified number of new Covid-19 cases are connected to The Pier Chowder House and Tap Room in Point Arena, Trinks Cafe in Gualala, and Cove Azul Bar & Grill, also located in Gualala.

“With these confirmed cases, members of the public who have attended these locations might have been exposed to Covid-19, and are advised to seek Covid-19 testing if unvaccinated, or to seek testing if exhibiting symptoms while vaccinated,” public health officials advise, listing the dates of concern for the Chowder House

and Tap Room as June 27 -29, for Trinks Cafe from June 28 to July 3, and for the Cove Azul Bar &Grill, June 28 and 29.

“Public Health still urges members of the public to exercise their best judgment when making decisions that might affect their health and the health of the community,” the release states. “We appreciate the cooperation of the above local businesses to find those who could be exposed, and Public Health only publishes their names when we are unable to specifically identify everyone in the public who could have been exposed.”

Mendocino County Public Health Officer Dr. Andy Coren is also quoted as urging “the importance of staying home from work when exhibiting any symptoms of Covid-19. Common symptoms are fever, cough,

and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or new loss of taste or smell.”

The press release also included statements from the affected restaurants:

“As a fourth generation Mendocino County resident, the health and safety of my community is always of utmost importance to me. We have, and will continue to, follow all health and safety protocols. I would also like to urge everyone to get vaccinated so that business disruptions like we have experienced on the south coast will end,” reads the statement from Tracy Du Pont of The Pier Chowder House & Tap Room in Point Arena.

“Trinks Café in Gualala has always taken the safety of community to heart. Recently, we closed because an employee tested positive for Covid-19. We immediately followed all the

protocols set out by the Mendocino County Health Department. After complete sanitization, we reopened, but shutting down our business adversely affected so many aspects of so many people’s lives: Our staff, our customers, ourselves and our wider community. We encourage everyone to get completely vaccinated so that we can all live on without fear and anxiety,” reads the quote attributed to Naomi of Trinks Café in Gualala.

“Cove Azul Bar & Grill recently had one of our employees test positive for the Covid-19 virus. The restaurant was closed and all

sanitation protocols were put in place. We value our community, and its safety is very important to us. We hope that everyone in our community and our valued visitors stay safe and healthy. Vaccinations are very important to ensure that this is possible,” reads the quote attributed to

Juan Carbajal of the Cove Azul Bar & Grill in Gualala.