The Harvard Book Store in Cambridge, Mass., has temporarily closed to in-person browsing after a member of the staff tested positive for Covid-19. In an e-mail to customers on Wednesday, the bookstore wrote that the bookseller is, “feeling mostly well,” and emphasized that the potential risk of exposure to customers was limited.
During the temporary closure, the store will be sanitized and staff will be tested and monitored. The store emphasized that the measures were taken out of an abundance of caution. A reopening date has not yet been determined, but customers will continue to be able to order online from the store along with curbside pickup.
Last month, owners Jeff Mayersohn and Linda Seamonson informed customers that the store was struggling amid the ongoing pandemic. An outpouring of customer support followed, but the current temporary closure comes at a delicate time for the Harvard Square mainstay, with the holidays just around the corner. No mention was made of the recent challenges in the e-mail however.
Instead, the bookstore closed its message with a reminder to customers: “Please wear a mask, wash your hands, and take care of yourself and others during this extremely challenging time.”
