Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort to reopen dining facilities following COVID outbreak

After a COVID-19 outbreak shuttered parts of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, last week, the club announced Thursday it planned to partially reopen Saturday and reopen fully by April 1.

In a letter sent to members, the club said it planned to reopen the Beach Club on Saturday for lunch, followed by the a la carte Dining Room on Wednesday for dinner and Thursday for lunch.

Both the Beach Club and the Dining Room were closed Friday after an undisclosed number of employees tested positive for COVID-19. Banquet and event services remained open.

"Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to the club," the letter said.

Trump, former first lady Melania Trump and son Barron have been living at the mansion since they moved from the White House in January, after leaving office. CNN reported the family was at the club last week to celebrate Barron's 15th birthday, which was Saturday.

More: Can former president Donald Trump call Mar-a-Lago home?

All three contracted COVID-19 last year and have since recovered. Trump is said to have received his vaccine shot in January before the end of his presidential term.

In announcing the partial closure last week, Mar-a-Lago sent a message to members that read:

"Good afternoon members. The health and safety of our members and staff is our highest priority. As some of our staff have recently tested positive for COVID-19, we will be temporarily suspending service at the Beach Club and a la carte Dining Room. We are taking this measure out of an abundance of caution, like other clubs in our area impacted by COVID-19. We will update you when service resumes. Banquet and Event services remain open.

"We have already undertaken all appropriate response measures in accordance with CDC guidance, including activating a thorough sanitization and cleaning of any affected areas and all club facilities, and we will continue our heightened environmental cleaning regimen.

"We reiterate our commitment to the health and safety of all those who visit the Club. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you back for Beach Club and Dining Room service in the near future."

The closure came at the height of the social season and spring break, when Mar-a-Lago's Beach Club is especially busy. Mar-a-Lago has another pool on the west side of the estate, but it is not on the beach.

Posts to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Parler and YouTube have long revealed Mar-a-Lago's indifference to enforcing public health protocols to control the coronavirus.

The partial closure came two months after county officials sent a warning letter and notice of violation to the club after videos of maskless partygoers on the dance floor at the club's annual New Year's Eve party went viral.

Despite the warning in January, recent posts to social media show maskless guests at large events being served by employees wearing black masks.

Among the most recent events was the annual Big Dog Ranch Rescue luncheon fundraiser March 12. Trump made a surprise appearance at the event, and his daughter-in-law Lara Trump walked the runway during the fashion show.

Reporter Christine Stapleton contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Trump Mar-a-Lago Florida resort to reopen dining after COVID outbreak