The City of Toronto says that approximately 550 people may have been exposed to COVID-19 after an employee at a Yonge Street strip club tested positive for the virus.

According to a statement released  by the city on Aug. 14, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is notifying people who visited the Brass Rail Tavern, located at 701 Yonge St., about their potential exposure.

The employee who tested positive for COVID-19 was present at the Brass Rail Tavern on the following dates:

• August 4 from 7 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (August 5)
• August 5 from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. (August 6)
• August 7 from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. (August 8)
• August 8 from 7 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (August 9)

.@TOPublicHealth is notifying people who visited the Brass Rail Tavern located at 701 Yonge St., Toronto about a potential exposure to #COVID19. Approximately 550 individuals may have been exposed in this setting.

— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) August 14, 2020

The statement said there is no risk to anyone who attended the Brass Rail Tavern outside of these dates and times but that as a precaution, TPH is advising anyone who attended the club during these periods to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days after their visit.

“TPH has followed up with all known close contacts and asked these individuals to self-isolate for 14 days and to go for testing. TPH is also notifying individuals directly who provided their name and contact information in the establishment’s contact tracing log,” said the statement. 

“The establishment is collaborating with TPH to ensure all COVID-19 Stage 3 reopening protocols are in place in this setting, including staff and patrons wearing masks, infection prevention and control measures are in place, and appropriate physical distancing measures are followed.”

The Brass Rail Tavern re-opened for business on July 31 as Toronto moved into Stage 3 of the province’s economic re-opening plan. According to Stage 3 protocols all patrons must be seated when eating or drinking at an establishment, establishments must take appropriate measures to ensure physical distancing of at least two metres between patrons from different tables, unless separated by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier, and dancing may only be performed by someone working at the establishment with restrictions.