Gjusta Closes in Venice After Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19

Venice dining hotspot Gjusta has closed for the next several days after confirming that one of its employees tested positive for COVID-19, reports the LA Times. The surprising announcement was made over the weekend, with reps for the restaurant posting on social media and the company website that the employee tested themselves out of “an abundance of caution” after noticing a sore throat and fatigue. The restaurant, which also has a large bakery and prepared food component, will remain closed through April 5, “in order to evaluate any potential exposure risks and to conduct a thorough cleaning as needed to sanitize and disinfect Gjusta entirely, which will be done in accordance with CDC guidelines.”

And in other news:

— Coronavirus could have a lasting impact on some of LA’s important (and often quirky) cultural and historic sites, says the LA Times, from the Valley Relics Museum to the Underground Museum in Mid-City.

— City of Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti has temporarily suspended farmers markets within the city limits. The effort is meant to curb crowding at places like the Brentwood market recently, though Garcetti says that if markets can provide sufficient safety plans, they will be allowed to reopen. The announcement also only applies to the city of Los Angeles, meaning places like Pasadena and Santa Monica are unaffected.

— Shawn Nee, the owner of Burgers Never Say Die, has agreed to pay the rent of a mother facing eviction during the novel coronavirus pandemic, reports LAist.

— Echo Park sandwich hit Konbi is closed for the foreseeable future. Ownership says on Instagram that they will not turn the lights on again “until it is safe” to do so.