Employee at Merced Dutch Bros. Coffee location tests positive for coronavirus

The Merced Dutch Bros. Coffee location is closed after an employee tested positive for coronavirus, the company said.

According to a Dutch Bros. Coffee news release, an employee at the 2005 E. Childs Ave. location has been instructed to self-isolate for 14 days after receiving the positive test result Saturday. The employee was tested on June 10.

Dutch Bros. Coffee said that prior to taking the test, the employee worked morning and early afternoon shifts on June 2, June 3 and June 4. The employee also worked full day shifts on May 25, May 26 and June 1, the company said.

Upon learning of the positive test result on Saturday the company said it immediately began closing procedures. As an extra precaution, the Merced location will undergo a deep clean by a third party before reopening.

The company said it is also coordinating with public health officials to confirm protocols meet and exceed expectations.

Dutch Bros. Coffee said it has taken multiple steps in the past few weeks to prevent the spread of the virus.

These steps include enforced hand washing and sanitizing, mask policies with updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, a cashless pay system to eliminate touch points between customers and employees, temporarily suspending personal mug use at the drive-thru and the closure of walk-ins and walk-ups to focus on drive-thru serving, according to the release.

According to Rilynn Davis, Dutch Bros. Coffee public relations specialist, the company is working with the local health department on a reopening plan.

The company said it encourages anyone with questions or concerns to reach out to the company at communitywellness@dutchbros.com.