WASHINGTON (AP) – Former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, has been partially closed after employees tested positive for the coronavirus.
That’s according to several people, including one familiar with the club activities, who said Mar-a-Lago had ‘partially’ closed ‘part of the club and quarantined some of its employees’ out of an abundance of caution’ . The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the situation by name.
An email to members stated that service had been temporarily interrupted in the club dining room and beach club because some staff had recently tested positive. It said the club had “taken all appropriate measures”, including remediation of affected areas, “and banquet and event services remain open.
“The health and safety of our members and staff is our highest priority,” it said.
The Florida Department of Health did not immediately respond to a phone call and email.
Trump moved to Mar-a-Lago after leaving Washington in January, and has spent the following weeks lying down, golfing, dining with friends, meeting Republican party leaders, and plotting his political future as he contemplates running again in 2024.
Trump was hospitalized with COVID-19 last fall and has since been vaccinated against the virus.
Mar-a-Lago was the site of its first known exposure over a year ago. A senior Brazilian official tested positive last year after spending time in Mar-a-Lago, where he posed next to Trump for a photo and attended a family birthday party.
The Trump White House was hit by several consecutive outbreaks after it violated virus precautions by resisting wearing a mask and continuing to hold major events.
The Palm Beach club has been a wave of activity in recent weeks, with events and fundraisers including one for rescue dogs. Trump unexpectedly passed by the event last week.
In January, Palm Beach County issued a warning to Mar-a-Lago management following a New Year’s Eve party violating an ordinance requiring employees and guests to wear masks. Video of the party posted online by Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. showed that few of the 500 guests wore masks as they pressed the dance floor as rapper Vanilla Ice, Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love and singer Taylor Dayne performed. The club was told future violations would result in fines of $ 15,000.
The former president was not present at the party.
Spencer reported from Fort Lauderdale. Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report.