Tucson Bars, Businesses Close, Concerts Postponed Amid COVID Outbreak | Economic news
Owner Ronnie Spece still takes orders online at Batch, 118 E. Congress St., but in-person meals at the bourbon and donut bar have been closed after two employees tested positive for COVID.
Arizona Daily Star Rebecca Sasnett
Several Tucson businesses have temporarily closed and two big-name headliners have postponed their concerts as the omicron variant continues its grip on Pima County.
Khris Dodge, executive director of HSL Properties Tucson Jazz Festival, said he is working on new dates for 11-time Grammy-nominated Jon Batiste and jazz great Herb Alpert, both of whom have retired from the event at beginning of this week.
Batiste, who was scheduled to perform at Centennial Hall on January 21, postponed his appearance due to “unforeseen circumstances” while Alpert, 86, who was scheduled to perform with his wife, Lani Hall, on January 22, cited health concerns said Dodge.
Since New Years Eve, several businesses, including Monsoon Chocolate on East 22nd Street in South Fourth Avenue, Che’s Lounge on North Fourth Avenue, and Batch Downtown, have temporarily closed due to COVID exposure and concerns as Arizona and Pima County’s infection rates have jumped.
The county reported 1,121 new cases of COVID and four new deaths on Wednesday. Statewide, an additional 7,749 confirmed cases were reported on Wednesday, according to state health officials.
“It’s unreal that we’ve been this far and now here we are,” Batch owner Ronnie Spece said Wednesday, a day after temporarily shutting down his popular bourbon and donut bar at 118 E. Congress. St. after two of its employees were tested. positive for COVID.