Toronto Public Health says the Brass Rail strip club was not following public safety guidelines last week, and as a result as many as 550 people may have been exposed to COVID-19.

TPH says an employee who worked the nights of August 4, 5, 7 and 8 had tested positive.

The tavern was not following proper distancing during an inspection and was not properly maintaining its customer log for contact tracing.

Contact tracing has been completed for everyone who gave their information entering the club, but public health officials were unable to confirm how many were legit.

All those who could be reached along with their close contact have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

A disappointed sounding Doug Ford says the tavern has to follow the protocols.

”I know it sounds crazy when you’re talking about the Brass Rail, but you just gotta do it,” the premier pointed out.

”Feel sorry for the people when they go to their house and then tell them that they were at the Brass Rail … Sorry for the spouse, seriously,” Ford quipped. 

Toronto Mayor John Tory says the incident reinforces the need for contact tracing.