At the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, the health and safety of our guests and staff are our top priority. We have taken every precaution possible to ensure our guests have a safe and enjoyable place to dine, as well as our staff, to have a safe and enjoyable place to work.
The AMOB Family takes tremendous pride in our Pillars of Philanthropy. These are initiatives and causes that we support as a local business, but also shared values. One of our four pillars is COMMUNITY. With the value of community top of mind, it is within our honest nature and deepest sincerity to share that there have been positive cases (one at Ellenton, two at Cortez) of COVID-19 among the Anna Maria Oyster Bar Family.
Since reopening on May 11th, we’ve watched and waited for this moment to finally come. For us, it was always a matter of when, rather than if. When we re-opened our doors, we promised you we would do everything within our power to keep you, our guest, safe while you visit any of our Oyster Bars. As the number of positive tests continues to grow in Manatee County, along with it the percentage of positive cases has also increased. With 350+ staff members, this was an inevitability we’ve been preparing for.
After conferring with our leadership team and trusted medical advisors, we have made the decision to continue operating and to hold strong on the sanitation practices we implemented upon re-opening. The heightened safety practices that offer you service as socially distant as possible — like our staff mask policy, contactless payment, single-use menus and sanitized menus & condiments, contactless curbside pickup at all locations, multiple staff sanitizing throughout each shift, and so much more — was designed with the comfort and safety of you, our guest, in mind.
We have received feedback from hundreds and hundreds of happy AMOB regulars who trust our ability to respond to COVID in our community and ensure a safe environment for all. We appreciate that you have chosen AMOB for your first public outings, or takeout purchase, or even just to reply to our emails with support.
Like other local small businesses, this is an extremely challenging time at AMOB. We voluntarily closed our doors longer than required by the State, in hopes that extra preparation would help slow the spread. While the Oyster Bars were closed, we paid our staff, prepared meals for them, and directed them to any resources needed at that time. Closing our doors again is not a viable option for our business at this time.
As proud champions of the hospitality industry, we take our responsibility as “second responders” very seriously. And now we ask for our friends & extended AMOB Family members to do your part for our shared responsibility of keeping our community happy and healthy.
As we said, AMOB will continue to operate at the highest level of COVID-recommended health & sanitation practices, but we need YOU to do the same for us. Please, please, when you’re in our restaurants, join our AMOB Family in wearing a mask. Masks are mandatory when moving about the restaurant. The only time you may remove your mask is when seated at your table. We also encourage you to take frequent advantage of our sanitization stations and support our staff in their efforts to serve you safely.
We don’t expect you to eat or drink with your mask on, but as you move about the restaurant, please wear your mask.
If you choose to not dine inside, we have expanded our outdoor dining area at all four locations. Or, if you’d prefer your favorite AMOB meal at home, we absolutely understand. We now have enhanced packaging and ordering procedures for takeout & curbside pickup, so please take advantage of this convenient service. When you are out and about, please continue social distancing, and please, wear a mask.
It is up to ALL OF US to work together and keep our community safe. Wearing a mask is a healthy choice, and we strongly, and respectfully, encourage you to choose the mask. Wearing a mask is a healthy and caring statement.
Thank you for your continuous support and for trusting AMOB. Our doors will continue to be open for you to celebrate & enjoy a safe, fun visit, and now, we’re asking you to be here for us.
For more information on how we are keeping our staff & guests safe, click here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The AMOB Family takes tremendous pride in our Pillars of Philanthropy. These are initiatives and causes that we support as a local business, but also shared values. One of our four pillars is COMMUNITY. With the value of community top of mind, we understand that you may have questions and it is within our honest nature to provide our guests with accurate, truthful answers.
Are you open?
Yes. After conferring with our leadership team and trusted medical advisors, we have made the decision to continue operating and to hold strong on the sanitation practices we implemented upon re-opening. The heightened safety practices that offer you service as socially distant as possible — like our staff mask policy, contactless payment, single-use menus & condiments, contactless curbside pickup at all locations, multiple staff sanitizing throughout each shift, and so much more — was designed with the comfort of you, our guest, in mind.
Did someone at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar test positive for COVID-19?
Yes, we can confirm that a member of our team tested positive for COVID-19 at our Ellenton location and two tested positive at our Cortez location. As soon as they reported signs of COVID-19 (high temperature) we sent home and asked them to get tested before returning to work. One was completely asymptomatic and only tested because of being near someone that had COVID-19 outside of work. Our policy is that once positive they must test negative before returning to work.
Who was the employee?
For privacy reasons, Anna Maria Oyster Bar can not disclose that information.
Because someone tested positive for COVID-19, why are you not closing the entire restaurant?
Like other local small businesses, this is an extremely challenging time at AMOB. We voluntarily closed our doors longer than required by the State, in hopes that extra preparation would help slow the spread. While the Oyster Bars were closed, we paid our staff, prepared meals for them, and directed them to any resources needed at that time. Closing our doors again is not a viable option for our business at this time.
I recently dined at Anna Maria Oyster Bar. Should I be concerned?
While we are not medical experts, we have consulted with infectious disease specialists and our trusted advisors in the healthcare industry. There is no evidence that COVID-19 is foodborne. Please consult a medical professional with further questions.
What can I do to help?
We encourage all members of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar family and the greater Manatee community to do everything you can to keep yourself safe. This includes but is not limited to observing all social distancing guidelines, taking full and frequent advantage of our sanitation stations, wearing a mask when in public, and thoroughly washing your hands regularly.
