Penticton winery shuts doors over COVID-19 case

A case of COVID-19 in the South Okanagan has closed a Penticton winery.

Poplar Grove Winery said in a media release issued today, July 17, a restaurant employee at the winery tested positive for COVID-19.

The individual showed no symptoms and wore a mask and gloves while at work.

Poplar Grove shut down the restaurant and tasting room immediately upon receiving the news.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we immediately shut down the winery tasting room and the restaurant so that we could consult with the Interior Health Authority to determine the next steps to ensure the safety of our valued guests and staff,” owner and president of Poplar Grove Tony Holler said.

The winery has been told by Interior Health their policies prevented significant risk to the public and are not recommending testing or self-isolation of contacts.

The winery was advised to do a terminal sanitization and were told they could re-open as early as tomorrow, July 18, but the winery has opted to close for three days to conduct a thorough cleaning and sanitation.

Poplar Grove expects to reopen July 22.

Anyone who visited Poplar Grove on July 11 and 12 who are concerned of possible health issues can receive further direction from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control at this website.

The news comes after two cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in farmworkers working out of the Krazy Cherry Fruit Company in Oliver earlier this week.

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