The state liquor store at 5056 S. State St. in Murray shut down Monday after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus.
The employee reported testing positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, said Terry Wood, spokesman for the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
“As soon as the test came in, we knew we had to close the store,” said Wood, adding that "the employee contracted the virus after close contact with a family member. It wasn’t from someone who came into the store.”
Murray store employees are now self-isolating and will be tested, he said. The outlet will remain closed until at least Wednesday — possibly later — so it can be sanitized and the agency can plan appropriate staffing.
It is the second state-run liquor store to close since the COVID-19 outbreak began.
The liquor outlet in Moab was shuttered last Thursday after an employee tested positive. The employee was infected after contact with a family member and is currently in quarantine.
The Moab store was sanitized and disinfected by an independent company Saturday and, after consulting with the Southeast Utah Health Department, the DABC says it will reopen at noon Wednesday.
All other employees at the Moab outlet have tested negative for the virus.
“They all want to go back to work," Wood said, solving any possible issues with low staffing.
The DABC requires store employees to wear gloves and masks at all times.
