1776 Restaurant in Crystal Lake to reopen Wednesday

1776 Restaurant in Crystal Lake plans to reopen for indoor and outdoor dining, along with curbside carryout Wednesday, nearly two weeks after it temporarily closed its doors because of an employee testing positive for COVID-19.

The support staff member last worked at the restaurant July 18 and had not been in the building since or been in direct contact with other staff members, 1776 Restaurant owner Rhienna McClain said.

The employee had asked to be tested for COVID-19 after losing her sense of smell, according to a news release from 1776 Restaurant.

When McClain received notice of the employee's positive test results, she contacted the McHenry County Department of Health to notify them of the situation and request guidance.

The McHenry County Department of Public Health told her it does not require a restaurant to close if a single person tests positive for COVID-19, although it is required that close contacts with a confirmed case be quarantined for 14 days, McClain said.

McClain said she decided to temporarily close the restaurant anyway, saying it was a "difficult decision" done for the " safety and well-being of all involved."

McClain said the restaurant, located at 397 W. Virginia St., fully complied with guidelines under the state's Restore Illinois plan, as well as the recommendations of the Illinois Restaurant Association.

All those who were in contact with the employee who tested positive were asked to be tested as well, McClain said. These tests all came back negative.

"I am happy to have an isolated incident and proud that our preventative practices have proved beneficial,” McClain said.

These preventive measures include sanitizing and cleaning the restaurant between each guest, wearing face masks, single-use gloves when handling food and having staff members wash their hands and use hand sanitizer consistently.

1776 Restaurant staff members wipe down all community door handles every 30 minutes, surfaces are sanitized during service, and the building is cleaned every Sunday.

After getting the approval of the McHenry County Health Department and what McClain described as "rigorous cleaning and sterilization," 1776 will reopen for curbside carryout, and indoor and outdoor dining from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

In a Facebook post, McClain thanked the community for its continued concern for and "support of the '76er family."

"It has been such a roller coaster, but I am committed to ensuring the safety of everyone involved," she said. "Unfortunately, these are the times. Stay positive, eat well, take your vitamins and wash your hands."