550 Brass Rail strip club patrons exposed to COVID-19

Toronto Public Health is asking hundreds of patrons of a popular Toronto adult entertainment establishment to keep their eyes peeled for COVID-19 symptoms.

The advisory, issued by the city Friday morning, says an employee of the Brass Rail Tavern on Yonge St., south of Bloor St., tested positive for COVID-19, potentially exposing nearly 550 people to the respiratory illness.

The employee in question worked on Aug 4. from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., Aug. 5 from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., Aug. 7 from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., and Aug. 8 from 7 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

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Anybody who attended the Brass Rail during these times is being asked to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days, and Toronto Public Health has followed-up with known close contacts of the employee in question via the establishment’s contact tracing logs.

No information was provided on the infected employee’s occupation at the club.

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Strip clubs were among businesses allowed to reopen late last month under Ontario’s Stage 3 pandemic recovery plans, with many businesses — including the Brass Rail — openly advertising their adherence to social distancing rules.

Policies employed by Toronto strip clubs include compulsory face coverings, temperature checks, occupancy limits, frequent disinfection of surfaces and — in the case of lap dances — mandatory masks for both dancer and patron.

The Sun has reached out to the Brass Rail for comment.

bpassifiume@postmedia.comOn Twitter: @bryanpassifiume