WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida,
has been partially closed after staff members tested positive for the
coronavirus.

That’s according to several people, including one familiar with club
operations, who said Mar-a-Lago had “partially closed� a section of the
club and quarantined some of its workers “out of an abundance of
caution.� The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were
not authorized to discuss the situation by name.

An email sent to members said that service had been temporarily
suspended in the club’s dining room and at its beach club because some
staff members had recently tested positive. It said the club had
undertaken “all appropriate response measures,� including sanitizing
affected areas,� and that banquet and event services remain open.

“The health and safety of our members and staff is our highest
priority,� it read.

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 weeks since then laying low, golfing, dining with friends,
meeting with Republican party leaders and plotting his political future
as he considers 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 his first known exposure more than a year
ago. A senior Brazilian official tested positive last year after
spending time at Mar-a-Lago, where he posed for a photo next to Trump
and attended a family birthday party.

The Trump White House was hit with several subsequent outbreaks after it
flouted virus precautions by resisting mask-wearing and continuing to
hold large events.

The club in Palm Beach has been a flurry of activity in recent weeks,
hosting events and fundraisers, including one to benefit rescue dogs.
Trump unexpectedly dropped by the event last week.

In January, Palm Beach County issued a warning to Mar-a-Lago’s
management after a New Year’s Eve party that violated 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 crowded the dance floor while 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.

(Well, I hope impacted employees recover.)





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* Lock up Trump and his family of grifters. *