The Voyageur restaurant in St. Clair temporarily closes after COVID-19 exposure

The Voyageur Restaurant in St. Clair is closed for a week after management learned somebody with COVID-19 had been inside.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, management wrote that despite complying with health and safety guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and St. Clair County Health Department, the business learned a person who had been inside tested positive for COVID-19. Management closed the restaurant voluntarily until Tuesday, Aug. 17 out of an abundance of caution.

“We feel taking this week will give us time to regroup and give our staff time to make sure everyone is okay,” the Facebook post read. “We thank you for your understanding during this time and look forward to serving you.”

A call and Facebook message to the restaurant were not immediately returned. According to the restaurant’s voicemail, it is closed for cleaning and maintenance and will reopen for lunch at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

St. Clair County Health Department Public Information Officer Jennifer Michaluk said in an email the restaurant has been in contact with the department and did decide to voluntarily close.

She said when this happens to a restaurant, all established public health quarantine and isolation protocols should be followed.

“At that point, the decision to remain open or closed is based on staffing availability and the owner’s discretion,” she said.

She said similar situations have happened throughout the pandemic and to her knowledge there are no other restaurants in the area voluntarily closed due to an exposure.

“Open communication with the health department is key in these situations,” Michaluk said. “We are here to assist our facilities as they navigate these difficult times.”

Facilities can contact the St. Clair County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division for more information at (810) 987-5306.

Contact Bryce Airgood at (810) 989-6202 or bairgood@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @bairgood123.