COVID-19 Shuts Down The Varsity In Midtown

MIDTOWN, GA—The Varsity, an iconic fast food institution in midtown Atlanta — temporarily closed Thursday after a worker tested positive for COVID-19, CBS 46 reported.

Restaurant management told the TV station that it learned of the positive COVID-19 test late Wednesday night. The employee, who tested positive for the virus, was last in the restaurant on Sunday.

The 92-year-old restaurant chain told the AJC it will reopen its dining room for service Friday after being thoroughly disinfected and sanitized. However, it is temporarily suspending carhop service. The company announced the change Thursday.

“Because our area has seen an uptick in cases in recent weeks, as well as ever-changing protocols from local and state authorities, we did not feel it was prudent to continue curbside service at our Midtown location,” the Varsity vice president John Browne said in a statement to the newspaper.

“The operational, logistical and technological issues associated with curbside ordering and delivery have made it difficult to serve our customers safely and efficiently while maintaining adequate social distance to protect our team members,” he wrote.

According to restaurant management, if and when the coronavirus pandemic recedes and normal life resumes, it's possible the drive-in service could return.

The Varsity has been in business in downtown Atlanta since 1928. The fast food chain has six locations throughout Georgia.