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Hattie B’s Hot Chicken reopens for takeout today after closing late last week due to a cook testing positive for COVID-19. The restaurant’s dining room remains closed and no one other than staff is allowed inside.
The Moreland Avenue restaurant received a deep cleaning on Monday by a restoration company that included thoroughly wiping down the kitchen and interiors and using fog machines which dispense a mist disinfectant into the air.
“We also contacted the Georgia Department of Health to ensure we met their guidelines [to reopen.],” the representative says. “Our dining room and patio will remain closed [for dine-in service.]”
The 32-year-old cook, who last worked in the kitchen on Wednesday, April 22, reported having a fever on Thursday, April 23. He did not return to work and has been self-isolating at home. The cook contacted his doctor and was tested for COVID-19 on Sunday, April 26. His test came back positive on Friday, May 1. The cook remains home and is “doing well,” with no further COVID-19 symptoms, other than the fever he reported having on April 23.
As a precaution, five employees who worked with the cook were scheduled to get tested last weekend. So far, none have reported experiencing COVID-19 symptoms since working with the cook 14 days ago. Per the Georgia Department of Public Health, they can return to work. Every employee is required to wear a mask, must have their temperature taken before each shift, and continue to practice enhanced personal hygiene while working.
“Our sick leave policy requires employees to report any COVID-19-related symptoms and provides full pay while an employee is out of work. A doctor’s note is required to return,” the representative says.
There is no timeline as to when any of Hattie B’s locations in Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham, and Las Vegas will reopen for dine-in service.
No one other than staff has been allowed inside the Atlanta restaurant since the beginning of April. People order by phone or outside and their name is called over an intercom when food is ready. Orders are brought to the front door.
“Hattie B’s will continue to practice precautionary measures and follow CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of our staff and customers.”
The CDC recommends people wear face masks to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while out in public, especially within enclosed spaces like restaurant dining rooms, retail shops, and grocery stores. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is also urging the public to wear masks inside businesses, grocery stores, and when picking up food for takeout.
299 Moreland Avenue, Atlanta. hattieb.com.
Stay home if sick. Check the Georgia Department of Public Health website for guidance and twice-daily updates on the latest number of reported COVID-19 cases.
