The newly-opened Golden Corral Restaurant has been linked to 167 self-reported cases of a Norovirus-like illness. Last Thursday, the restaurant voluntarily closed its doors for a thorough cleaning and disinfection. The buffet-style restaurant reopened Friday night.

The Golden Corral franchisee, Golden DBL Inc., issued a statement regarding the reopening. It reads, in part,

The reopening comes after the facility was cleaned as a precautionary measure in response to reports of illness within the community. Although no definitive source of the illnesses has been established, Golden Corral officials voluntarily closed the restaurant yesterday to conduct a thorough cleansing and disinfection to ensure the facility is free of any potential contamination.

According to the statement, Casper-Natrona Health Department officials inspected the restaurant Friday afternoon and agreed that the premises had been thoroughly cleansed and disinfected.
Golden DBL Inc President David Giesen said

Our first priority is the health and safety of our guests and employees,” said David Giesen, president Golden DBL Inc. “We have been working closely with the health department as we conducted this comprehensive cleaning. We are pleased to reopen and continue serving the Casper community.”

Health officials are still awaiting test results to find the exact cause of illness.

More From Rock 96.7