Triangle bars, restaurants close down for NYE after positive COVID tests

Whiskey Kitchen in Raleigh made the decision to shut their doors on Friday night after one employee felt sick and went to get tested for COVID-19. Garland restaurant, on West Martin Street, also shut down on Friday night after one of its staff members tested positive for coronavirus.

"Our staff is testing today and through the next few days," according to a Facebook announcement from Garland. "Since we are continually masked while working, we are hopeful that no one else is positive. Though this is a difficult way to end this year, we want to do our part in reducing any potential spread."

Not all restaurants are concerned about coronavirus spreading over New Year's celebrations. Young Hearts Distilling is hosting a New Year's Eve party. Elkin Giraldo, general manager of the bar, said that he's not concerned about spreading coronavirus because he will be wearing a mask and will be vaccinated.

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"Nobody in this building has tested positive at all," Giraldo said. Making decision about coronavirus has been difficult, Giraldo said, because his father is a cancer patient.

"To be able to celebrate and listen to good music and do it as safely as possible," he said, "it makes me feel proud to be able to do it and to be here."

Jimmy Kim, owner of one Durham restaurant and another Raleigh one, had to shut down his business in North Hills on Tuesday after a handful of staff members tested positive for COVID-19.

"It was a difficult decision given the circumstances. We have to put the safety of the team and guest first," Kim said. "We had several members test positive it was a straight forward decision to close down.

Cucciolo Osteria in Durham remained open on New Year's Eve and Kim said business was booming.

Jeff Mickel, co-owner of Whiskey Kitchen, said that many people on his staff were feeling ill. Then, one staff member tested positive.

"We certainly we want to make sure they're in a safe environment and we're not pushing them too hard," he said of his staff.

Without the necessary staff, Whiskey Kitchen wasn't able to keep operating for New Year's Eve.

Advice from Dr. Cameron Wolfe, an infectious disease specialist at Duke Health, suggests that Mickel made the right choice.

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In an interview with WRAL News on Thursday, Wolfe said people should not dismiss any symptoms, like a sore throat or runny nose.

"Please don't come at me in the middle of December and say your allergies are acting up. It's probably at this point COVID-19. Almost hands down, I'd put money on it being COVID-19."

Wolfe warned the public to reconsider their New Year's Eve plans, and take part in something "community-minded," for the sake of health care workers.

Despite concerns over the coronavirus' omicron variant, local restaurant owners say business has been booming this year.

"I was prepared for mass cancellations, and wondering if we could continue with the dinner. In the end we have had almost no cancellations," said Elizabeth Turnbull, bar director for COPA in Durham.

Patrons who made reservations must provide proof of vaccinations at COPA, Turnbull said. All employees at COPA are also vaccinated and masks are required for everyone.

Many business owners attribute their latest economic recovery to the vaccine, which helped people feel comfortable to leave their home and eat out .

“We are very excited about this evening there is something special about bringing in the new year, especially in hard times," Turnbull said.