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La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen in Gilbert reports staffer has Covid-19

Citing the importance of transparency, La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen in Gilbert is the latest East Valley restaurant to voluntarily report an employee has contracted Covid-19.

The unidentified employee, who last worked May 19, began feeling mild symptoms after returning from a trip to Flagstaff last weekend and has not had any contact with La Ristra or its staff since May 19.

‘‘We are confident that our employees and our customers have not been exposed,’’ La Ristra owners John and Andrea Gabaldon posted on Facebook. ‘‘We will continue to follow protocol and not allow any employees to work with elevated temperatures or flu-like symptoms.’’

The restaurant already requires its staff to wear face masks, provides hand sanitizer on every table, practices social distancing with tables, and mandates frequent hand washing and sanitizing of common areas.

La Ristra is preparing to open a second location in downtown Chandler later this summer.

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