Virus closes always-open convenience store

COVID-19 has done what no clock could do: close a 7-Eleven convenience store.

The retailer said it shut down the Penticton outlet Thursday as a safety precaution after it became aware a single employee had tested positive for COVID-19.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are asking all of our store staff to self-isolate at home with pay. We have contacted Interior Health and have temporarily closed the store to thoroughly clean and sanitize. We plan to re-open the store on or before Jan. 23, 2021,” 7-Eleven Canada said in a statement Friday.

Interior Health, in a separate bulletin, declined comment because it “does not provide specific details about individual cases – including locations – unless there are broader exposure risks.”

In those cases, bulletins are posted online and anyone who was potentially exposed gets a call from a contract tracer; no such bulletin has been posted for the Penticton 7Eleven.

In a message to vendors, 7-Eleven recommended suppliers who were at the Penticton store Jan. 6-8 self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.