Boston Chipotle Linked to Norovirus Outbreak Reopens

Boston’s chief health inspector, Inspectional Services Department Commissioner William “Buddy” Christopher Jr., planned to have lunch at the Cleveland Circle Chipotle on Monday to assuage any lingering worries that customers might still have about eating there. Chipotle founder Steve Ells took out a full-page advertisement in The Boston Globe to apologize for the norovirus outbreak.

Chipotle released a statement on their website regarding the recent E. coli and norovirus outbreaks, assuring customers that the incidents are unrelated, and while it may be impossible for them to prevent foodborne illness, they are doing everything in their power to reduce the chances of similar outbreaks in the future.

With a hope to get back on track, restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill announced reopening of its Boston restaurant in Cleveland Circle neighborhood which was linked to illness of over 130 people earlier this month.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus easily passed among those in close proximity and can spread through contaminated food, improper hygiene, and contact with contaminated surfaces.

Among the health violations that Boston’s health inspectors discovered following the norovirus outbreak at the Chipotle restaurant was that they served inadequately heated meat, according to NY City News. According to Chris Arnold, official spokesperson of the company, the restaurant has now reopened and has resumed its operations.

The Cleveland Circle Chipotle Mexican Grill actually received permission to reopen last Wednesday, but the reopening was postponed until Saturday due to a water leak. Health officials said a sick employee was the source. Chipotle responded to the problem by implementing an enhanced food safety program. It also came before the CDC reported that people who ate in two Chipotle restaurants in Kansas and Oklahoma contracted a different type of E. coli, bringing the total number of states involved to nine.

The company’s shares closed down (493.52) on the New York Stock Exchange on December 28.