Mistral In Princeton Closes After Staff Tests Positive For COVID

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton restaurant Mistral and its private dining room Elements have temporarily closed after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.

Beth Rota, a representative of Mistral, said one of its employees worked at the Stage House Tavern in Somerset. Last week, several staff members at Stage House Tavern tested positive for COVID-19.

But the employee, who worked at both restaurants, failed to inform the management at Mistral of possible exposure. Instead, the team learned about it after reading a report on Patch.

Read More Here: Staff Tests Positive For Coronavirus, Stage House Somerset Closes

“After we read the report on Patch, we had a management meeting and asked any employee feeling unwell to come forward,” said Rota. The management team informed the Princeton Health Department and out of an abundance of caution, shut down the restaurant on Monday.

Every staff member was asked to quarantine for 14 days and take a COVID test.

“The test results came in yesterday. One employee tested positive,” said Rota. The employee is a kitchen staff member.

The management at Mistral is now concerned about other restaurants in Princeton, as there is often an “employee overlap”.

“Staff overlap in restaurants all around town - it’s common. We have no idea how contact tracing works, but we want everyone to know. Hope they take all necessary precautions,” said Rota.

Mistral and Elements recently reopened indoor dining. But at just 25 percent capacity, profit margins are thin.

“We have a lot to think about – tents, space heaters, other cost. It’s tough. But right now, we are amid a pandemic, so safety and precautions come first,” said Rota.

Going forward, Rota said they will continue maintaining the highest safety standards.

“Masks, washing hands and other CDC mandated precautions really work. Only one employee tested positive. We need to self-report and maintain sanitation standards,” she said.

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

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