POLE-AXED
Fears strip club worker has infected 550 men with coronavirus in Canada sparking near-impossible hunt for punters
A STRIP club worker in Canada is feared to have exposed up to 550 people to coronavirus, sparking a near-impossible hunt for the venue's customers.
The employee, who has not been identified, tested positive for the virus after working four shifts at the Brass Rail Tavern in Toronto at the start of August.
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The potential exposure occurred just days after the venue, one of Toronto's best-known strip clubs, reopened its doors for the first time since the end of the city's lockdown.
It is not currently known in what capacity the staff member was working at the venue, but authorities have said that up to 550 people could have been exposed.
Concerns have also been raised that many customers may have left false contact information in the club's tracing log.
Andrew Morris, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Toronto, said: “You know how long it’s going to take them to chase down 550 guys, half of which probably gave fake ID or information?"
Officials have also said that there were signs social distancing guidelines had not been properly followed at the venue.
Strip clubs are currently mandated to put a sheet of plexiglass between staff and customers when appropriate distances cannot be maintained.
Ontario premier Doug Ross said: "There are 500 people. You’ve got to practice social distancing, you’ve got to put on a mask.
"I know it sounds ironic talking about [a strip club]. You have to."
He added: "I feel sorry for people when they go to their house and tell them that they were at the Brass Rail.
"That’s who I feel sorry for. Sorry for the spouse, seriously.
"Man, I wouldn’t want to be on the end of that one."
The Toronto Star reported that the Brass Rail Tavern is still open, with a sign on its door insisting to customers that it remains safe.
"During this time, we are continuing operations while upholding the highest possible hygiene standards with our staff," the sign read.
"This is our main priority while we provide our guests with the hospitality and customer service that they have become accustomed to."
Toronto began the process of easing its lockdown and allowing businesses to reopen on June 24, later than much of the surrounding province of Ontario.
Strip clubs initially remained closed, but were allowed to reopen at the end of July.
The Brass Rail Tavern reportedly welcome customers back again for the first time on July 31.
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Canada has so far seen 122,186 people test positive for coronavirus and 9,026 die.
It is currently seeing around 380 new cases diagnosed each day.
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