Salem Restaurant To Close After Staff Coronavirus Positive Cases

SALEM, MA — A Salem seasonal seafood, burger and drink joint is closed for the rest of the year after it said there were positive coronavirus cases among its staff.

The Lobster Shanty posted on its Facebook page Tuesday that it will look to reopen on Jan 3, 2022.

The post said the staff members who tested positive worked on Dec. 21, Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 and that those who visited the restaurant during those days may have been exposed and are encouraged to get tested.

"We have all been wearing masks since December 22nd, but this new variant is not to be trifled with," the post said. "Please get tested, even if you feel fine."

The post said the closure will provide time for infected staff members to get better and the rest of the staff to get tested as well so owners can "ensure the Shanty is a safe place to gather.

"We hope you'll all stay safe and healthy through this holiday season and we will see you all in 2022," the Shanty said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)