ENCINITAS, Calif. (KGTV) - An Encinitas restaurant is closed for deep cleaning after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus.
Kris Buchanan owns GOODONYA on S. Coast Highway 101. She closed the restaurant Sunday afternoon as soon as she found out her employee tested positive.
"Ironically, one of my best employees with the mask, like she never took that mask down," Kris Buchanan.
Buchanan arranged for her staff of roughly 40 people to get tested for the virus antibodies Monday afternoon. If they test positive for antibodies, she'll pay for them to get the coronavirus test.
The organic restaurant will reopen July 3, but only for pick up and delivery. Buchanan says the harassment her staff faced from some customers refusing to wear a mask isn't worth it.
"People take serious offense to that, I think, because of the health issue or maybe some sort of politically charged feeling about it, I don't know, " said Buchanan.
She says fellow restaurant owners are dealing with similar issues.
"I'm friends with a few restaurant owners in Encinitas, and it's the same thing, coming in with that fake Facebook card that went around," said Buchanan.
She said while most have been supportive, some customers have also made social distancing even more difficult by complaining about where they were seated.
"It's just a whole bunch of rigmarole here you're just trying to get their order and figure out if they want gluten-free or regular bread and you have this added layer of nonsense on top of it," said Buchanan.
Since the pandemic hit, business is down roughly 50%, but Buchanan said her employees are her priority.
"More than the money, it's just worth me keeping my staff happy and safe," said Buchanan.
GOODONYA will reopen Friday July 3, at 7 a.m.
