Here's what dining out looks like under amended safer-at-home order Fort Collins Coloradoan

In the nearly two months since Colorado restaurants reopened to in-person dining,at least sevenFort Collins eaterieshave temporarily closed due to COVID-19cases among their staffmembers.

But the spread of the virus likely isn't happening within restaurants,according to Larimer County health department spokesperson Katie O'Donnell.

"Our restaurants, breweries, tasting rooms have all been taking our protocols seriously," O'Donnell said, referring to the laundry list of regulations mask wearing and social distancing among them restaurants must follow to remain open during the pandemic.

What were really finding is employees hang out together outside of work," O'Donnell said, indicating the likely spread ofCOVID-19 among restaurant employees is happening when they are in close contact at after-work gatherings.

Since emerging from strict stay-at-home ordersand, in some cases, mandated closuresthis spring, Larimer County has not required a businessto close over COVID-19, O'Donnell said. All closures have been donevoluntarily, some after consultation with the health department, she added.

Tracking COVID-19 in Colorado: Larimer County and statewide case, death and hospital data

Businesses are not required to report positive COVID-19 cases among staff to the county health department, though they are welcome to consult the department on next steps, O'Donnell said.

The county's contact tracing team has the task of identifying sites of potential COVID-19 outbreaks as well asnotifying people who may have come in close contact with anyone who recently tested positive for the virus, O'Donnell said.

Restaurants are not required to collectinformation from diners for contract tracing purposes either, but it isencouraged, O'Donnell added.

According to the state health department's most recent outbreak data, three restaurants have been the site of COVID-19 outbreaks in Fort Collins: Chick-fil-A, 3605 S. College Ave.; Pueblo Viejo Mexican Restaurant, 185 N. College Ave.; and The Still Whiskey Steaks, 151 N. College Ave.

An outbreak is defined as twopositive COVID-19 cases reported at a business or facility within two weeks.

Chick-fil-A's outbreak has since been resolved, according to the state's data. Pueblo Viejo reopenedJuly 9 after a weeklong closure, and The Still Whiskey Steaks reopened Thursday, alsoafter a week of remaining closed.

The latest: 2 Larimer County nursing homes, 1 Fort Collins restaurant report COVID-19 outbreaks

Last week, MoJeaux's Bar & Grill, 820 City Park Ave., announced it would temporarily close after the roommate of one of its employees tested positive for COVID-19.

On Saturday, Tony's Bar,224 S. College Ave., announced via Facebook it would temporarily closeover COVID-19. And on Monday,The Human Bean coffee chain notified customers that a barista at its 821 N. College Ave. location had contracted COVID-19, prompting the drive-in coffee shop's temporary closure.

"It was a no-brainer," The Human Bean owner Frank Sherman said on the decision to close. "We're not going to push any of the limits, we're not going to play with any of our employees' health. We're not going to monkey around with this thing. It's too serious."

As businesses weigh their decisions to close over COVID-19, John Arnolfo knows what they're going through.

It wasn't that long ago that Arnolfo owner of beloved Old Townbreakfast joint Silver Grill Cafe was sitting at a Silver Grill table discussing what to do after one of the restaurant's employees tested positive for COVID-19 in late June.

"It was really tough," Arnolfo said."What do you do?Whats the right thing to do?"

Arnolfo said the restaurant immediately contacted the county health department and later shared the names and phone numbers of customers it had been keeping for contact tracing purposes. Silver Grill Cafe voluntarily closed for eight days.

"We felt that was the right thing to do, and as it turned out, I think it was," Arnolfo said, adding that about half a dozen of the restaurant's 30 employees were asked to quarantine. Employees were paid during the closure, Arnolfo said.

When Silver Grill reopened earlier this month, it was with new, stricter social distancing and mask rules for itsemployees, who are now barred from congregating between shifts and on breaks and must keep masks on at all times, except for when they're eating.

Dining out?: Here's your coronavirus guide to dining out in Fort Collins

"What we learned about the second shutdown is contact between employees and customers is minimal, but its the interaction between employees outside of work (that can cause a spread)," Arnolfo said.

After bearing the financial brunt of two separate closures in the last five months, Arnolfo said Silver Grill Cafe is taking steps to make sure another one doesn't happen.

"Its critical that we stay open," he said."Im sure youve heard all the news, read all the papers a second, third shutdown would really be detrimental to any business large or small, so were working through it."

As people continue to ease back into in-person dining, O'Donnell said the Larimer County health department is keeping an eye out for restaurant-related complaints filed through its online business complaint form. Its contact tracing team also continues workingto identify where and how COVID-19 is spreading in the county.

So far, no restaurants mentioned in the county's complaint forms have been the site of an outbreak, but it'slikely just a matter of time, O'Donnell said.

She stressed the importance of businesses following recommended public health guidance.

"If our businesses aren't enforcing (that guidance), then our cases are going to continue to rise," O'Donnell said.

Larimer County recently saw asingle-day record for COVID-19 cases when 37 new cases were reported Sunday.

"The biggest thing were starting to messageis that if our cases continue to rise, were looking at our variance getting revoked, which would drastically impact what business are allowed to be open," O'Donnell said.

"As our whole community has gotten a little lax, we need to remember this is important," O'Donnell added.

Erin Udell reports on news, culture, history and more for the Coloradoan. Contact her at ErinUdell@coloradoan.com. The only way she can keep doing what she does is with your support. If you subscribe, thank you. If not, sign up for a subscription to the Coloradoan today.

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COVID-19 hits Fort Collins restaurants: How it's spreading and how it's handled - Coloradoan