The Varsity shuts down after employee tests positive for COVID-19

ATLANTA — The iconic Varsity restaurant in Midtown has shut down after a team member tested positive for COVID-19.

It is the first time in the restaurant’s 90-year history that its drive-in has been closed. 

President Gordon Muir told Channel 2 Action News that the employee was tested 72 hours after their last shift.

"After learning this, we initiated our response protocol, which includes conducting a deep cleaning of the restaurant in accordance with public health guidelines," Muir said. "Our store is cleaned and sanitized multiple times every day, but we wanted to take the additional measure out of an abundance of caution."

The restaurant intends to reopen tomorrow, but Muir said they have made the difficult decision to discontinue curbside service for the foreseeable future.

"The operational, logistical and technological issues associated with curbside ordering and delivery have made it difficult to serve our customers safely and efficiently," Muir said.

Muir said that inside, they have been able to implement strict safety protocols like plexiglass at the counters, gloves and masks for all employees, frequent hand washing and increased cleaing of high touch areas.

“Unfortunately, we can’t implement these same measures outside,” Muir said.

Cox Media Group