Alcohol ban protest organizer’s West Deer bar reports positive covid-19 test in employee
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The sports bar owner who was organizing a protest against Allegheny County’s covid-19 restrictions closed his West Deer business Tuesday night after an employee tested positive for the virus, according to a post on the bar’s Facebook page.
Xtra Innings Sports Bar and Grille on Saxonburg Boulevard is owned by John Pavlik, who was organizing a protest set for noon Thursday at the Allegheny County Courthouse against the ban. Pavlik couldn’t be reached for comment and there was no answer at the bar Wednesday morning.
“Tonight I was informed that we had a positive test amongst our staff. We immediately contacted the Allegheny County Health Department for further instruction,” a post on the bar’s Facebook page reads.
The worker who tested positive last worked at the bar Friday, according to the post.
“We are taking every step possible to ensure the safety or our staff and customers. All staff members will be tested and cleared negative before returning to work. We have a cleaning company coming in to clean and sanitize our whole establishment,” the Facebook post reads.
Before the announcement was made about the employee’s test, Pavlik made a post on his personal Facebook page thanking people for the overwhelming support he’s received since he announced he was organizing the protest.
“Let it be known that this is not only about my business or any other business owner but it about the entire service industry,” Pavlik wrote. “Everyone who is employed in it no matter what your job is we are all affected.”
He called for a peaceful protest.
“We are not down here to cause problems or destruction, we are not down there to stop anyone else from doing their jobs, nor stop traffic or any function going on in the area,” Pavlik wrote. “We will respect the police and their jobs.”
He also asked those who plan to participate to wear a mask “as we don’t want to give the authorities this reason for us to not be heard,” Pavlik wrote.
“We all have one goal and that is to have the county rethink their decision and show them we care,” the post reads.