Lynch’s Irish Pub closes for cleaning after customers report positive COVID-19 results

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Update, June 16, 12:45 p.m.: Lynch’s Irish Pub has reopened as of 11 a.m., following professional cleaning. The business closed Saturday for cleaning after customers reported testing positive for COVID-19 after their visit around June 6.

Update, June 15, 8 p.m.: Lynch’s Irish Pub hired a professional cleaning service to clean the bar.

The general manager is hoping to re-open by Tuesday evening.

He said he plans on scheduling monthly cleanings moving forward.

The seven employees who tested positive are self-quarantining for two weeks and have to present a negative test upon returning to work.

The general manager for The Wreck said his employees and employees from The Tavern have been tested for coronavirus they are awaiting results.

The two establishments are planning on professional cleanings as well this week.

Update, June 15, 5 p.m: Three bars are temporarily closed in Jacksonville Beach due to coronavirus concerns.

The Tavern, The Wreck, & Lynch’s Irish Pub are being cleaned professionally.

Seven of 49 Lynch’s employees tested positive.

Update, June 15, 11:15 a.m.: The owner of Lynch’s Irish Pub has confirmed to Action News Jax that seven out of 49 employees tested positive for COVID-19. All of the cases were asymptomatic.

Update June 14, 10:40 p.m.: Action News Jax has learned another popular Jacksonville Beach bar is closing temporarily for cleaning after customers who may have visited the bar tested positive for COVID-19.

The owner of the Wreck Tiki Lounge said the bar is closing its doors for cleaning as a precautionary measure after customers tested positive for coronavirus.

Original Story, June 13: Lynch’s Irish Pub in Jacksonville Beach closed Saturday for a professional cleaning, according to owner Keith Doherty, after a post on social media claimed that customers who went to the pub last weekend tested positive for COVID-19. The post has been shared over 300 times.

A sign posted on the front door of the bar asks people not to enter if they are experiencing a cough, sneeze, fever or trouble breathing.

Doherty said he’s sending his staff to get rapid COVID-19 tests and hopes to have results Sunday night. He plans to reopen the bar sometime next week if none of the staff members test positive. If they do turn up positive results, the bar will remain closed for two weeks.

Action News Jax spoke with a Erika Crisp, who said she went to Lynch’s last Saturday, June 6, with a group of about 15 people. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 June 10.

“Last Saturday, June 6, I went out with some girlfriends for a friend’s birthday, probably shouldn’t have,” Crisp said.

She said ten people in her party have also tested positive for COVID-19.

“For all of us who have gotten it and other groups who got it on the same night and day before, that’s just too coincidental,” Crisp said. “I honestly feel like coming from the medical field I should’ve known better.”

Doherty said he thinks his bar will be the first of several to close in a “chain reaction,” because many people who enjoy Jacksonville Beach’s nightlife scene go to multiple bars in one night.

We reached out to Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham to find out what will need to happen to make sure local bars are doing what they can to keep people safe and are waiting to hear back from him.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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