Skip to main content

HEALTH ADVISORY: Possible COVID-19 Exposures at Liberty Restaurant

Liberty, NY – An employee at Casis Family Diner, 79 Sullivan Ave., Liberty, tested positive for COVID-19 today. The worker may have unknowingly exposed customers on the following days and times: 

  • Friday, November 6, between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 7, between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m.
  • Sunday, November 8, between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m.
  • Thursday, November 12, between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
  • Friday, November 13, between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m.

“Although we believe that the employees wore masks routinely, many customers may not have been doing the same while seated at tables, and may have been exposed,” said Public Health Director Nancy McGraw. “If someone thinks they have been exposed and develops symptoms, they should self-quarantine for 14 days and call their healthcare provider if symptoms develop, or call Sullivan County Public Health Services at 845-292-5910.”

Contact investigations are ongoing; anyone who tests positive will go into mandatory isolation, and as close contacts are identified, they are encouraged to seek a test and ordered into mandatory quarantine. For an updated list of testing locations, visit www.sullivanny.us.  

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Possible symptoms of COVID-19 include one or more of the following:

•           Fever or chills

•           Cough

•           Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

•           Fatigue

•           Muscle or body aches

•           Headache

•           New loss of taste or smell

•           Sore throat

•           Congestion or runny nose

•           Nausea or vomiting

•           Diarrhea

If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

•           Trouble breathing

•           Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

•           New confusion

•           Inability to wake or stay awake

•           Bluish lips or face

“Sullivan County Public Health strongly suggests that local businesses enforce mask wearing, per Executive Order 202.14, as a standard policy and practice for employees and customers,” stated McGraw, “especially as cases are going up and we are seeing more community transmission here and in other parts of New York State. People have become somewhat complacent or have misinformation about virus risk and transmission.”

“Put simply: routine mask wearing and social distancing works. We want to see our businesses and schools stay open and not see any large clusters or outbreaks.”

According to Public Health Law Sections 201, 2016 and 225 & Executive Order 202.14, Section 66-3.2 Face-Coverings, parts c and d: 

(c) Any employee who is present in the workplace shall be provided and shall wear a mask or face-covering when in direct contact with customers or members of the public, or when unable to maintain social distance. Businesses must provide, at their expense, such face coverings for their employees.

and

(d) Business operators and building owners, and those authorized on their behalf or otherwise authorized to use the building shall deny admittance to any person who fails to comply with this section and shall require or compel such persons’ removal. Provided, however, that this regulation shall be applied in a manner consistent with the federal American with Disabilities Act, New York State or New York City Human Rights Law, and any other applicable provision of law.

(e) For purposes of this section:

(i) Face-coverings shall include, but are not limited to, cloth masks (e.g. homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana), surgical masks, N-95 respirators, and face shields.

For more information on coronavirus, go to https://sullivanny.us/departments/publichealth/coronavirus or  https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home.