Customers at Murphy’s Irish Pub in Old Town Might Have Been Exposed to COVID-19

Public health officials in Alexandria put out an urgent PSA last night that said someone who attended a popular Irish bar the week before St. Patrick’s Day has tested positive for COVID-19.

Anyone who visited Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub on March 10, March 14, or March 15 might have been exposed to the novel coronavirus. The Alexandria Health Department advises that anyone who frequented the bar on those days should self-quarantine at home immediately. Per the health department, the person who tested positive is not an Alexandria resident. Neither officials nor the bar would say whether the case involves a Murphy’s employee.

Patrons who visited Murphy’s at the following dates and times may have been exposed:

• Tuesday, March 10, between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. (an Irish-themed Tuesday trivia night)
• Saturday, March 14, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. (an all-day St. Patrick’s Day party)
• Sunday, March 15, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. (an Irish brunch event)

A family-owned fixture in Old Town since 1978, Murphy’s is known for a long list of domestic and imported micro-brews and hearty Irish fare like shrimp Killarney, fish and chips, and meat and potato pie. The go-to gathering ground for sports fans awarded trivia night winners a pair of lower-level seats to a Capitals-Blackhawks game set for March 14 (the NHL suspended play indefinitely on March 12).

“Any known close contacts have already been contacted by health investigators, so the public announcement is intended for any other unknown contacts who were present during the times listed,” a city spokesperson tells Eater. Alexandria’s count of positive COVID-19 cases currently stands at 14.

Murphy’s Irish Pub is now closed through Sunday, March 29, for deep cleaning and sanitizing. Virginia officials enacted a 30-day dine-in ban starting Tuesday, March 24, while allowing them to maintain takeout and delivery operations. All Maryland and D.C. dining rooms went dark the week prior.

Murphy’s tells Eater it will reboot curbside pickup on Monday, March 30, for $6 Irish stew bowls, burgers, and smoked salmon at lunch and dinner.

• D.C.’s Essential Irish Pubs [EDC]
• Virginia Closes Restaurants to Dine-In Customers for at Least a Month [EDC]