Update: VANCOUVER — Vancouver’s 500-seat Craft Beer Market has reopened after being shut down Wednesday because of a suspected norovirus outbreak.



Graham Wilson, director of public affairs for Vancouver Coastal Health, said environmental health officers were “extremely impressed” with the cleaning of the premises.



The pub-like restaurant was closed after a half dozen patrons and a few staff reported being ill.



— Vancouver Sun

- - -

article continues below

Earlier story

Vancouver’s 500-seat Craft Beer Market was shut down by Vancouver Coastal Health Wednesday because of a suspected Norovirus outbreak that could cost the company up to $20,000 a day.



The pub-like restaurant at 85 West First Ave., which boasts Canada’s largest craft beer selection, was closed at noon after a half dozen patrons reported being ill on the weekend, the health agency said.



It said some staff became ill this week, and as norovirus is highly contagious, there is potential for more patrons to become ill as well.



“Our best estimate is that it will be a couple of days before it can reopen,” Coastal Health director of public affairs, Gavin Wilson, said in an interview. “But that’s subject to change, of course.”



Wilson said the closure will allow for sanitizing of the entire establishment, and that the order will be lifted when there is no further risk of transmission. “We’ll be working with (the company) to get their restaurant open as quickly as possible, as long as it’s safe to do so.”



He said that any food handler who has symptoms of the illness shouldn’t return to work until they’ve been symptom-free for 72 hours.



Owner-operator Scott Frank said in a news release that two staff members had been ill.



“Although it is suspected stomach flu we are unsure of its origin, and type and are taking the precautions necessary to ensure our guests’ safety,” he added.



Ian Tostenson, president of the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association, said that he estimates the Craft Beer Market could lose between $15,000 to $20,000 a day when it’s closed. He said the World Cup has three games a day and those games “tend to fill up those establishments. Hopefully, it gets resolved soon.”



Norovirus is a gastrointestinal virus that causes significant discomfort. It circulates in the community year round and symptoms usually appear within 24 hours of contact and last 24 to 48 hours. It tends to be dangerous only for people with immune systems weakened by illness or age.