The surge of the new Omicron variant has forced several bars and restaurants in San Diego to close down temporarily.
As of Tuesday, Dec. 21, San Diego health officials confirmed 1,856 newly reported cases linked to COVID-19, the highest number reported in the county since August.
During Christmas week, the Heartwork Coffee Bar in Mission Hills and Whistle Stop Bar located in South Park decided to close down due to the spike of COVID cases throughout the county.
Both locations went to Facebook to address their decision this week, citing the COVID-19 surging numbers and recent exposure to the virus within the staff.
And just like a week, Lion Share restaurant located at the Marina District was shut down for nearly a week after several employees in their staff tested positive for COVID.
Dan Roccato, a Clinical Professor of Finance at USD, says it is evident that the city still has work to do to improve its position in regards to COVID-19.
"It just simply tells us that we're not done with this [pandemic] yet," said Roccato.
"It particularly hurts our small businesses," he said. "The big businesses, they'll get through. It's a small business on the corner that is going to suffer," added the Clinical Professor.
Meanwhile, other businesses remain open amid the rise of COVID case numbers.
Owner of City Tacos Gerald Torres says that they're choosing to remain open for the time being, though they are taking precautions while staying open for business.
"We've been very fortunate. We try to be very vigilant. We try to do strict mask requirements. I encourage testing," said Torres.
South Park's Heartwork Coffee Bar says it will remain closed until further notice, while The Whistle Bar says it's reopening soon after Christmas Day.
