Home Slice North Austin Closed After Worker Gets Coronavirus

AUSTIN, TX — The Home Slice Pizza location in North Austin was closed on Tuesday after an employee was diagnosed with new coronavirus, company officials announced on their Facebook page.

The popular pizza joint located along the 501 E. 53rd St. is one of two sites at 1421 S. Congress Ave. in South Austin, with the flagship located on South Congress Avenue. On Facebook, Home Slice officials said the employee who tested positive for the virus is now under quarantine.

"We are saddened to announce that one of our Home Slice North Loop team members has tested positive for COVID-19 as of today, May 5th," company officials said. "The employee last worked Sunday, May 3rd, and is currently quarantined and receiving care."

In response to the employee's sickness, company officials said Home Slice North Loop will be temporarily closed while a professional sanitation crew deep cleans and disinfects the restaurant. "After following the preventative guidance of the CDC [Centers for Disease Control] and local health officials, the store will reopen with the same diligent cleaning and safety protocols that were previously in place including no-contact curbside service and mandatory use of masks and gloves," company officials said.

No other staff members are experiencing any symptoms, company officials said, and all are working staff members at the location are being tested for the COVID-19 virus. "At the moment no other staff members are experiencing any symptoms and all working staff members at that location are being tested for COVID-19."

Restaurant officials vowed to keep customers apprised: "As we navigate this pandemic together, we want to be sure we continue to be transparent in our communication and keep you updated on recent developments. We remain committed to leading with employee care, and making our decisions based on facts and science – relying on the experts to support our actions, so we can ensure we are doing what’s best for you, our customers and community."

This article originally appeared on the North Austin-Pflugerville Patch